finding users under HTTP authentication

[callico]

Hi all,

I have a site that uses simple HTTP authentication to access some backend php code and am wondering if there is a way to see all users that have been logged in using a $SERVER type query, like $SERVER['PHP_AUTH_USER'] but be able to see all users currently authorized (online) by the server.

Is there a way to do this or do I need to use cookies instead?

Thanks

[bradgrafelman]

callico wrote:

Is there a way to do this

Nope. HTTP is a stateless protocol; ignoring the performance-enhancement "KeepAlive," a user makes a request to your server to download a page and then severs the connection. Your webserver isn't aware who is "online" or not, so you'll have to keep track of this yourself, e.g. keeping a database of "last hits" for users, and removing users who haven't retrieved a page within xx minutes.

[callico]

Thanks, thought so but wanted to make sure first.