WebSphere Application Server: Component vs Container Managed Authentication Alias

When defining the usage of an authentication alias in a resource in the administration console of WebSphere Application Server, there are two places the data can be specified:

1. Component Managed Authentication
2. Container Managed Authentication

Component Managed Authentication is used when the resource configured in the EJB’s deployment descriptor res-auth property is set to ‘Application’.
Container Managed Authentication is used when the resource configured in the EJB’s deployment descriptor res-auth property is set to ‘Container’.

http://blog.danzrobok.com/2008/10/09/websphere-application-server-component-vs-container-managed-authentication-alias/