# Parent authority

If you set a parent authority, people will be able to log in using that authority and log in via Moodle.

For example, you could set up LDAP and have that be the parent of this authentication method. That means that people will be able to log in via Mahara's built-in login form using their LDAP credentials, and they can also log in via Moodle and get into the same account.

You do not have to set a parent authority. If you do not, people will only be able to log in via Moodle.