A system and method for determining in a global network the user network
authentication status as the user goes from site to site within the
network is provided. Additionally, the system and method provides for
transparent or implicit multi-site logon functionality, including
automatic introduction from one site to the other using a baseline
authentication agency (102). The system and method provides an
architecture for a core global network (100) (referred to herein as NET)
that incorporates some or all of the following features and components: a
set of baseline authentication agencies responsible for the core global
network (NET) services, such as login and user-selected service-provider
lookup; a shared NET domain and associated DNS records (106) used for
cookie (110) sharing, login routing, and the like; and a collection of
partner sites (108) accessible via the NET.