asp.net mvc - Determine security on shared layout -

in asp mvc 3 website, need way determine user security on shared layout page. layout page houses navbar needs display drop down items based on user's security level.

originally had thought make ajax call , populate viewbag item, use determine show/not show. however, won't work unless want put same method in every controller/method.

given set (navbar located on shared layout), best method determining items show user navigates across different controllers/methods?

you go 2 ways this.

you check in view:

@if (user.identity.isauthenticated){    // show logged in view } else{    // show logged out view } 

or build viewmodel , populate shared action.

example:

viewmodel

public class vm {     public string text{get; set;} } 

shared action on shared controller:

public class sharedcontroller{     public partialviewresult getmenu(){         vm newvm = new vm(text = "not logged in");         if (user.identity.isauthenticated){             newvm.text = "logged in";         }         return partialview("shared", newvm);     } } 

a partialview render action:

@model vm <p>     @model.text </p> 

and lastly in view:

@{     html.renderaction("shared", "shared"); }