SAML Concepts

Internal

• SAML

Subject

Subjects are entities that have identity related information specific to a security domain.

Identity Provider

The Identity Provider (IdP) is.

The Identity Provider is also known as the asserting party.

Service Provider

The Service Provider (SP) is ....

The Service Provider is also known as the relying party.

Trust Relationship

There is a trust relationship between the Identity Provider and and the Service Provider.

Token

A SAML token is a type of token issued by a STS/IdP that can be used to enable SSO. A relying resource secured by SAML will redirect users to SAML identity provider to obtain a valid SAML token before authenticating and authorizing the user.

Single Sign-On (SSO)

Single sign-on (SSO) is not strictly a SAML concept. However, because SAML provides a trusted way to share security information, applications using SAML can participate in single sign-on scenario where the identity of a subject is verified by a party and other party uses it because it trusts the first party and the communication mechanisms between them. SAML requires the user to enroll with at least one SAML-enabled security provider. The identity of the user will be verified (authenticated) by that security provider. Web browser single sign-on is a SAML profile.

SAML Use Cases

Web Browser Single Sign-On

Web browser single sign-on (SSO) among independent but cooperating parties is the most important SAML use case. Another more recent approach to addressing browser SSO is the OpenID Connect protocol.

SAML Profile

A profile is essentially a use case for SAML. A profile combines assertions, protocols and bindings to support specific use cases. For example, the Web Browser SSO Profile specifies how SAML authentication assertions are communicated between an Identity Provider and Service Provider to enable single sign-on for a browser user.

For more details on SAML profiles, see:

SAML Profile

SAML Binding

SAML protocol bindings are the mappings from SAML request/response message exchanges into standard messaging or communication protocols. For more details see:

SAML Binding

SAML Protocol

Requests and responses for obtaining assertions and doing identity management.

SAML Protocol

SAML Assertion

Authentication, attribute and entitlement information.

Authentication Context

Detailed data on types and strengths of Authentication.

Metadata

Configuration data for identity and service providers.

To Deplete

• https://home.feodorov.com:9443/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=SingleSignOn
• https://home.feodorov.com:9443/wiki/Wiki.jsp?page=PicketLinkSAMLSSO#section-PicketLinkSAMLSSO-Concepts