Single Sign-On Authentication Token for Trusted Application Servers
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Solution Overview
Problem
Users face the tedious task of signing onto multiple application servers and managing different usernames and passwords, leading to an exponential combination of authentication methods when accessing various user applications, which complicates the sign-on process.
Innovation Solution
A single sign-on method within a trusted environment is implemented, where an authentication token is provided after successful sign-on to one application server, allowing other applications in the trusted environment to access multiple application servers using this token, thereby simplifying the authentication process across different servers and applications.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a user signs onto multiple application servers separately, then access to each service is obtained, but the sign-on process becomes tedious and complex
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication process is segmented into two distinct phases: initial authentication phase where the user signs on to the first application server, and subsequent access phase where an authentication token enables access to other application servers without re-authentication. This segmentation resolves the contradiction by separating the complex authentication logic from the simple token-based access mechanism.
Solution Approach 2:
An authentication token serves as an intermediary between the user's initial authentication and subsequent access to multiple application servers. The token mediates the interaction by carrying authentication information from the first server to other servers, eliminating the need for repeated sign-on processes and reducing operational complexity.
2Ease of operation
If a portal is used to provide access to multiple application servers, then single sign-on is achieved, but application servers cannot be easily configured or decoupled
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication functionality is extracted from a centralized portal architecture and distributed to individual application servers. Each application server independently manages its own authentication using the same token mechanism, allowing servers to be configured or decoupled without affecting the overall system. This extraction maintains single sign-on benefits while improving adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The authentication token mechanism provides universal functionality across different application servers. The same token-based approach works for any application server in the system, enabling flexible configuration and decoupling while maintaining consistent access control. This universality allows the system to adapt to different server configurations without requiring portal-level changes.
3Reliability
If each user application requires separate sign-on to each application server, then access control is maintained, but an exponential combination of authentication methods is possible
Solution Approach 1:
Multiple authentication methods are merged into a single unified token-based authentication mechanism. Instead of having separate sign-on processes for each application server, the system combines them into one initial authentication followed by token-based access control. This merging maintains access control reliability while dramatically reducing the exponential complexity of managing multiple authentication methods.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for providing sign-on within a trusted environment across multiple application servers. For example, a method can be provided for a single sign-on within a trusted environment across application servers. The method comprises, by a first application operating within the trusted environment, connecting to a first application server via a first access channel, and retrieving an authentication token from the first application server via the first access channel. The method further comprises, by a second application operating within the trusted environment, connecting to a second application server via a second access channel, and authenticating with the second application server with the authentication token.