title: Token based authentication in web api
body: <p>I am developing a web api service which will be consumed by asp.net mvc web application and mobile apps (android and ios). My database and web api will be hosted on same server. I want to implement authentication for web api (token based). My database has a table for storing user credentials. I will have to use this database to validate the credentials when the user logs in. </p>
  
  <p>Came across a few articles which suggest owin and identity server. I am confused on how to proceed and need some help in understanding a better approach.</p>