You can implement user-based single sign-on (SSO) or role-based SSO to log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console from the identity provider (IdP) of your enterprise. SSO is also known as identity federation.

Background information

Alibaba Cloud supports Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) 2.0-based SSO. To help you better understand SSO, the following table explains the terms that are related to SAML and SSO.

TermDescription
identity provider (IdP)

A RAM entity that provides identity management services. IdPs are classified into the following types:

  • IdPs that use the on-premises architecture, such as Microsoft Active Directory Federation Service (AD FS) and Shibboleth
  • IdPs that use the cloud-based architecture, such as Azure AD, Google Workspace, Okta, and OneLogin
service provider (SP)An application that uses the identity management feature of an IdP to provide users with specific services. An SP uses the user information that is provided by an IdP. In specific identity systems, such as OIDC, that are not based on the SAML protocol, SP is known as the relying party of an IdP.
SAML 2.0A protocol that is designed for enterprise-level user identity authentication. SAML 2.0 is used for communication between an SP and an IdP. SAML 2.0 is a standard that enterprises use to implement enterprise-level SSO.
SAML assertionA core element that is defined in the SAML protocol. This element describes the authentication request and response. For example, the SAML assertion for an authentication response can contain user attributes.
trustA mutual trust relationship between an SP and an IdP. In most cases, the trust relationship is established by using public and private keys. An SP can obtain the SAML metadata of a trusted IdP. The metadata includes a public key. The SP uses the public key to verify the integrity of the SAML assertion that is issued by the IdP.
OIDCAn authentication protocol that is developed based on Open Authorization (OAuth) 2.0. For more information, see OIDC and OAuth 2.0. OAuth is an authorization protocol. OIDC adds an identity layer to extend OAuth. This way, OIDC can use OAuth for authorization. OIDC also allows clients to verify the identities of users and use an HTTP RESTful API to obtain basic information about the users.
OIDC tokenAn identity token that is issued by OIDC to an application. An OIDC token is an identity token that indicates a logon user. An OIDC token can be used to obtain the basic information about a logon user.
client IDAn ID that is generated for an application when you register the application in an external IdP. When you apply for an OIDC token from an external IdP, you must use a client ID. The client ID is specified in the aud field of the OIDC token that is issued. When you create an OIDC IdP, you must configure the client ID. If you want to use the OIDC token to obtain an STS token, Alibaba Cloud checks whether the client ID that is included in the aud field is the same as the client ID that you configured in the OIDC IdP. You can assume a RAM role only when the client IDs are the same.
fingerprintThe fingerprint that is generated based on the HTTPS certificate of an external IdP. You can use a fingerprint to prevent the URL of the issuer from being hijacked or tampered with. Alibaba Cloud calculates the fingerprint. We recommend that you calculate the fingerprint on your computer. For example, you can use OpenSSL to calculate the fingerprint. Then, you can compare the calculation result with the calculation result provided by Alibaba Cloud. For more information about OpenSSL, visit the official website of OpenSSL. If the calculation results are different, the URL of the issuer may have been attacked. Make sure that you enter a valid fingerprint.
URL of an issuerThe URL of an issuer that is provided by an external IdP. The URL is indicated by the iss field in an OIDC token. The URL of the issuer must start with https and be in the valid URL format. The URL cannot contain query parameters that follow a question mark (?) or logon information that is identified by at signs (@). The URL cannot be a fragment URL that contains number signs (#).
STS tokenA temporary identity credential that is provided by Alibaba Cloud Security Token Service (STS). STS allows you to manage temporary credentials for your Alibaba Cloud resources. You can configure a validity period and specify access permissions for an STS token. For more information about STS, see What is STS?

SSO methods

You can implement SSO between your enterprise services and Alibaba Cloud by using SAML 2.0-based IdPs, such as AD FS. Alibaba Cloud provides the following two SAML 2.0-based SSO methods:

  • User-based SSO: The RAM user that you can use to log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console is determined based on a SAML assertion. This SAML assertion is issued by an IdP. After you log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console, you can access Alibaba Cloud resources as a RAM user.
  • Role-based SSO: The RAM role that you can use to log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console is determined based on a SAML assertion. This SAML assertion is issued by an IdP. After you log on to the Alibaba Cloud Management Console, you can use the RAM role that is specified in the SAML assertion to access Alibaba Cloud resources.

For more information about the differences between these two SSO methods, see Scenarios of SSO.

Implement user-based or role-based SSO

Add RAM users

After SSO is configured, add other RAM users that want to use DMS to the DMS console at a time as a DMS administrator. To add the RAM users, perform the following steps: Log on to the DMS console. In the top navigation bar, choose System > Users. On the User tab, click Synchronize RAM User. For more information, see Add a user.
Note The RAM users that have the AdministratorAccess permission are automatically initialized as DMS administrators. Other RAM users are initialized as regular users. For more information about DMS system roles, see System roles.

Example

The following example shows you how to implement SSO between your enterprise services and Alibaba Cloud by using AD FS.

  1. Enter the logon URL of a RAM user in the address bar of your browser.
  2. Click Login with Enterprise Account.
    You are navigated to the logon page of AD FS.
  3. Enter the username and password, and click Login.
    Note The username and password are provided and maintained by AD FS.
  4. On the Product And Service tab of the Alibaba Cloud Management Console, click Data Management.
    You are connected to the DMS console.