With Windows Vista, Microsoft changed the login architecture and replaced the GINA with the Credential Provider for intercepting login details.
When the Credential Provider replaces the GINA module, it minimizes the conflict when multiple authentication methods are used on a shared workstation. A Credential Provider supports multiple concurrent providers, and makes it much easier to implement new user authentication scenarios supported by the operating system. It can be either user-driven or event-driven.
With the Credential Provider module, Novell no longer needs to re-author the user interface for the users. Users are presented with one login dialog box.
Currently, the Credential Provider model for Novell SecureLogin is compatible only with installation on eDirectory and any LDAP v3 compliant mode.