Rule-based user groups

Rule-based user groups for HCL WebSphere Portal allows us to define dynamic portal user groups. Rule-based user groups are implemented as a custom repository adapter for Virtual Member Manager (VMM). Rule based user groups are represented by a unique group name, the LDAP search filter rule expression, and an optional description. The portal handles them as normal portal user groups. They are in a special base distinguished name in the user realm hierarchy. Administrators can define them using the VMM API in WebSphere Application Server or the Portal User Management Architecture (PUMA) in HCL WebSphere Portal like other groups. We can use these soft groups to assign security role mappings, portal access permissions, or visibility rules the same way as other portal user groups. The rule-based user groups feature handles the correct membership determination for the users during run time.

Advantages:

• Rule-based user groups allows us to define and assemble dynamic portal user groups. They are based on LDAP search filter expressions applied to user attributes.

• These groups are persisted in the portal database, not in the main portal user repository. We do not need to enter them into the LDAP.

What we can do with rule-based user groups

• Define a rule-based user group including the syntax validation of the rule.

• Modify the rule or description of an existing rule-based user group including the syntax validation of the rule.

• Search for rule-based user groups based on the group name.
• Resolve the rule-based user group membership for particular users during run time.
• Display the members of a particular rule-based user group.

  Note: This operation can have an impact on the performance of the portal. Perform it only to verify the resulting set of members after defining a rule base group.

• Delete an existing rule-based user group.

Notes:

1. Rule based user groups can contain only individual users, but not groups.

2. After defining a rule-based user group, we cannot change the unique group name.

• Configure the rule-based user groups adapter To install rule-based user groups on the HCL WebSphere Portal, we must set up a database, and configure VMM rule based groups.