[UC] Server Side authentication and Data Access

[jeswr]

As a researcher running a Python script on a remote server (headless application or service),
I want the script to be able to authenticate using some credentials provided to it,
So that it can fetch private data shared with my research group, to be used as training data for our research study.

Preconditions:

What conditions must be in place or assumed before this use case can begin?

• I have created an identifier for the researcher, script, or research study.
• I have obtained keys/credentials that I can provide to the script for authentication.

Trigger:

What (user or system) event or action initiates this use case?

• Researcher executing the Python script on a remote server

Actors:

Describe the primary actor, and any other relevant actors involved in this use case

• Researcher running the ML pipeline
• Data Subjects for the research

Distinction:

What unique challenges or distinguishing factors (like technical issues, user experience needs, workflow integration, etc.) are associated with this use case?

• This use case requires a standard mechanism for scripts to authenticate (e.g. using client credentials). Whilst most Solid Server implementations have such a mechanism, this is not standardized in the Solid CG specification.
• This use case (possibly) requires non-human entities (a script, or research study) to have an identifier authenticate.

Scenario:

Describe an ideal or happy-case scenario where this use case would play out as intended.

• The researcher collects authentication credentials and adds them to a .env file on the remote server. Once the script is started, no further input is required from the researcher.

Alternative case(s):

What alternative flows or variations should the system handle for this use case?

• The user must run the script locally and have a browser open to authenticate the researcher, or write custom code to have Playwright running headless on the remote server to enter a username / password to authenticate the user.

Error scenario:

What unexpected issues or errors might arise, and how should the system handle them?

• Invalid or no credentials provided, the server should respond with a 401 status code

Acceptance Criteria:

What conditions or criteria must be met for this use case to be considered successfully handled? What limitations are acceptable?

• Headless clients can authenticate without any dynamic interaction with users.

References:

List any relevant resources or examples that could inform this use case, possibly from other domains or solutions.

• CSS Client Credentials
• ESS Statically Registered Client Credentials
• Client Credentials Flow with OIDC

[hzbarcea]

This is also related to the agents line of use cases. Very good.