About authentication modes in Symantec Protection Engine

During installation, you can choose the authentication mode for accessing the Symantec Protection Engine console. If you choose Symantec Protection Engine-based authentication then Symantec Protection Engine installs with an administrator account. Symantec recommends that you remember the password for this account as it is the only account used to manage Symantec Protection Engine. If you want to change the password in the console, you must have the old password.
If you choose Windows Active Directory-based authentication, Symantec Protection Engine allows users from the authorized Windows Active Directory security group to access the console.
Symantec Protection Engine-based authentication
Users can access the Symantec Protection Engine console using Symantec Protection Engine user password.
This authentication mode is available for non-Windows platforms.
This authentication mode is available for Windows and non-Windows platforms.
Windows Active Directory-based authentication
Users from the authorized domain and security group can access the Symantec Protection Engine console using their Windows Active Directory credentials.
This authentication mode is available only for Windows platforms.