Acronym for
Simple Authentication and Security Layer. Originating with
RFC 2222, written by John Myers while at Netscape Communications, SASL is a method for adding
authentication support to connection-based
protocols. SASL takes effect when a protocol initiates a command for identifying and authenticating a user to a
server. SASL also includes an option for negotiating protection of subsequent protocol interactions. With this option in effect, SASL places a security layer between the protocol and the connection.