Specifying the Order of Authentication Providers

Authentication Providers 4-27

4.4.3.2 Specifying the Order of Authentication Providers

As described in Section 4.1.2.2, LoginModules and Multipart Authentication, the order in which you configure multiple Authentication providers and thus LoginModules affects the outcome of the authentication process. You can configure Authentication providers in any order. However, if you need to reorder your configured Authentication providers, follow the steps described in Changing the Order of Authentication Providers in Securing Oracle WebLogic Server. 4-28 Developing Security Providers for Oracle WebLogic Server 5 Identity Assertion Providers 5-1 5 Identity Assertion Providers An Identity Assertion provider is a specific form of Authentication provider that allows users or system processes to assert their identity using tokens in other words, perimeter authentication. Identity Assertion providers enable perimeter authentication and support single sign-on. You can use an Identity Assertion provider in place of an Authentication provider if you create a LoginModule for the Identity Assertion provider, or in addition to an Authentication provider if you want to use the Authentication providers LoginModule. If you want to allow the Identity Assertion provider to be configured separately from the Authentication provider, write two providers. If your Identity Assertion provider and Authentication provider cannot work independently, then write one provider. The following sections describe Identity Assertion provider concepts and functionality, and provide step-by-step instructions for developing a custom Identity Assertion provider: ■ Section 5.1, Identity Assertion Concepts ■ Section 5.2, The Identity Assertion Process ■ Section 5.3, Do You Need to Develop a Custom Identity Assertion Provider? ■ Section 5.4, How to Develop a Custom Identity Assertion Provider

5.1 Identity Assertion Concepts

Before you develop an Identity Assertion provider, you need to understand the following concepts: ■ Section 5.1.1, Identity Assertion Providers and LoginModules ■ Section 5.1.2, Identity Assertion and Tokens ■ Section 5.1.3, Passing Tokens for Perimeter Authentication ■ Section 5.1.4, Common Secure Interoperability Version 2 CSIv2

5.1.1 Identity Assertion Providers and LoginModules

When used with a LoginModule, Identity Assertion providers support single sign-on. For example, an Identity Assertion provider can generate a token from a digital certificate, and that token can be passed around the system so that users are not asked to sign on more than once. The LoginModule that an Identity Assertion provider uses can be: