Secure Web services for V5.x applications using basic authentication
With the basic authentication (BasicAuth) authentication method, the request sender generates a BasicAuth security token using a callback handler. The request receiver retrieves the BasicAuth security token from the SOAP message and validates it using a Java Authentication and Authorization Service (JAAS) login module. Trust is established by using user name and password validation.
There is an important distinction between Version 5.x and V6.0.x and later applications. The information in this article supports V5.x applications only that are used with WAS V6.0.x and later. The information does not apply to V 6.0.x and later applications. WAS provides several different methods to secure the Web services. BasicAuth authentication is one of these methods. We might also secure the Web services using any of the following methods:
- XML digital signature
- XML encryption
- BasicAuth authentication
- Identity assertion authentication
- Signature authentication
- Pluggable token
To use BasicAuth authentication to secure Web services, complete the following tasks:
- Secure the client for BasicAuth authentication.
- Configure the client for basic authentication: specifying the method
- Configure the client for basic authentication: collecting the authentication information
- Secure the server for BasicAuth authentication.
Results
After completing these steps, we have secured the Web services using BasicAuth authentication.
Set the client for basic authentication: specifying the method
Set the client for basic authentication: collecting the authentication information
Set the server to handle basic authentication information
Set the server to validate basic authentication information
Related concepts
BasicAuth authentication method
Related tasks
Secure Web services for V5.x applications based on WS-Security