[Version 5 only]WebSphere Application Server - Express, Version 6.0.x     Operating Systems: AIX, HP-UX, Linux, Solaris, Windows

Securing Web services for version 5.x applications using signature authentication

Before you begin

Important distinction between Version 5.x and Version 6.0.x applications
Note: The information in this article supports version 5.x applications only that are used with WebSphere Application Server Version 6.0.x. The information does not apply to version 6.0.x applications.
WebSphere Application Server provides several different methods to secure your Web services. Extensible Markup Language (XML) digital signature is one of these methods. You might secure your Web services using any of the following methods:
  • XML digital signature
  • XML encryption
  • Basicauth authentication
  • Identity assertion authentication
  • Signature authentication
  • Pluggable token

Why and when to perform this task

With the signature authentication method, the request sender generates a signature security token using a callback handler. The security token returned by the callback handler is inserted in the Simple Object Access Protocol (SOAP) message. The request receiver retrieves the Signature security token from the SOAP message and validates it using a Java Authentication and Authorization Service (JAAS) login module. To use signature authentication to secure Web services, complete the following tasks:

Steps for this task

  1. Secure the client for signature authentication.
    1. Configuring the client for signature authentication: specifying the method.
    2. Configuring the client for signature authentication: collecting the authentication information.
  2. Secure the server for signature authentication.
    1. Configuring the server to support signature authentication.
    2. Configuring the server to validate signature authentication information.

Result

After completing these steps, you have secured your Web services using signature authentication.



Sub-topics
Configuring the client for signature authentication: specifying the method
Configuring the client for signature authentication: collecting the authentication information
Configuring the server to support signature authentication
Configuring the server to validate signature authentication information

Related concepts
Signature authentication method
Security token

Related tasks
Securing Web services for version 5.x applications based on WS-Security

Task topic    

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Last updated: Jun 8, 2005 12:45:23 PM EDT
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