XML token

XML tokens are offered in two formats, Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) and Extensible rights Markup Language (XrML). XML-based security tokens are growing in popularity. Two well-known formats are:

• Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML)

• Extensible rights Markup Language (XrML)

Using extensibility of the <wsse:Security> header in XML-based security tokens, you can directly insert these security tokens into the header.

SAML assertions are attached to Web services security messages using Web services by placing assertion elements inside the <wsse:Security> header. The following example illustrates a Web services security message with a SAML assertion token.

<S:Envelope xmlns:S="...">&
      <wsse:Security xmlns:wsse="...">
          <saml:Assertion                     MajorVersion="1" 
                    MinorVersion="0"
                    AssertionID="SecurityToken-ef375268"
                       Issuer="elliotw1" 
                       IssueInstant="2002-07-23T11:32:05.6228146-07:00"
                     xmlns:saml="urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:1.0:assertion">
                     ...
           </saml:Assertion>
      </wsse:Security>
 </S:Header>
 <S:Body>
 ...
 </S:Body>
</S:Envelope>

For more information on SAML and XrML, see Web services: Resources for learning.

Important distinction between Version 5.x and Version 6 applications

Note: The information in this article supports version 5.x
applications only that are used with WebSphere Application Server Version 6. The information does not apply to version 6 applications.

Related concepts
Username token element
Binary security token
Security token
Web services

Related reference
Web services: Resources for learning