Securing 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.

 

Overview

There is an important distinction between V5.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 V6.0.x and later applications. WebSphere Application Server provides several different methods to secure your Web services. Basicauth authentication is one of these methods. You might also secure your 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:

 

Procedure

1. Secure the client for basicauth authentication.

   1. Configure the client for basicauth authentication: Specifying the method

   2. Configure the client for basicauth authentication: Collecting the authentication information

2. Secure the server for basicauth authentication.

   1. Configure the server to handle basicauth authentication

   2. Configure the server to validate basicauth authentication information

 

Results

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

---

Configure the client for basic authentication: specifying the method

Configure the client for basic authentication: collecting the authentication information

Configure the server to handle basic authentication information

Configure the server to validate basic authentication information

 

Related concepts

BasicAuth authentication method

 

Related tasks

Securing Web services for V5.x applications based on WS-Security