def start( port = 24842 )
    server = TCPServer.new( port )
    log "[server log] Server started on localhost: #{port}"

    while @session = server.accept

      # 1) get the username
      username = @session.gets.chomp
      log "[server log] Received Client's Username: #{username}"

      # 2) send the salt
      salt = generate_salt
      @session.puts(salt)
      log "[server log] Sent Client Salt: #{salt}"
      log "[server log] Awaiting Client's Salted Password..."

      # 3) get auth string
      client_salted_pwd = @session.gets.chomp
      log "[server log] Received Salted Password: #{client_salted_pwd}"

      # 4) Check Auth String & Return Results
      if authenticated( username, salt, client_salted_pwd )
        @session.puts("AUTHORIZED")
        log "[server log] SUCCESSFUL Authentication for Username: #{username}"
      else
        @session.puts( "NOT AUTHORIZED" )
        log "[server log] FAILED Authentication for Username: #{username}"
      end
      log "[server log] Closing Session..."

      # 5) Disconnect Session
      @session.close
    end
  end