Configure nonce for the server level

Nonce is a randomly generated, cryptographic token used to prevent the theft of username tokens, used with SOAP messages. Nonce is used in conjunction with the basic authentication (BasicAuth) method. We can configure nonce for the server level using the WAS console.

Important: The information supports Version 5.x applications only used with WAS v6.0.x and later. The information does not apply to Version 6.0.x and later applications.

We can configure nonce at the application level, the server level, and cell level.

However, we must consider the order of precedence:

1. Application level

2. Server level

3. Cell level

If we configure nonce on the application level and the server level, the values specified for the application level take precedence over the values specified for the server level.

Likewise, the values specified for the application level take precedence over the values specified for the server level and the cell level.

In a WAS (base) or WebSphere Application Server Express environment, specify values for the Nonce cache timeout, Nonce maximum age, and Nonce clock skew fields on the server level to use nonce effectively.

However, in a WAS Network Deployment environment, these fields are optional on the server level, but required on the cell level.

Complete the following steps to configure nonce on the server level:

1. Connect to the console.

   (dist)(zos) Type http://localhost:port_number/ibm/console in our web browser unless you have changed the port number.

   (iseries) Type http://server:port_number/ibm/console in our web browser unless you have changed the port number.

2. Click Servers > Server Types > WebSphere application servers > server_level.

3. Under Security, click security runtime.

   In a mixed node cell with a server using WebSphere Application Server version 6.1 or earlier, click Web services: Default bindings for Web Services Security.

4. Specify a value, in seconds, for the Nonce cache timeout field. The value specified for the Nonce cache timeout field indicates how long the nonce remains cached before it is expunged. Specify a minimum of 300 seconds. However, if we do not specify a value, the default is 600 seconds. This field is required for the server level.

   However, in a Network deployment environment or on the z/OS platform, this field is optional on the server level, but required on the cell level.

5. Specify (Optional) a value, in seconds, for the Nonce maximum age field.

   The value specified for the Nonce Maximum Age field indicates how long the nonce is valid. Specify a minimum of 300 seconds, but the value cannot exceed the number of seconds specified for the Nonce cache timeout field on the server level.

   The value specified for the Nonce maximum age field must not exceed the Nonce maximum age value set on the cell level. We can specify the Nonce cache timeout value for the cell level by clicking Security > Web Services. This field is optional on the server level, but required on the cell level.

6. Specify a value, in seconds, for the Nonce clock skew field. The value specified for the Nonce clock skew field specifies the amount of time, in seconds, to consider when the message receiver checks the timeliness of the value. Consider the following information when you set this value:

   • Difference in time between the message sender and the message receiver if the clocks are not synchronized.

   • Time needed to encrypt and transmit the message.

   • Time needed to get through network congestion.

   Specify at least 0 seconds for the Nonce clock skew field. However, the maximum value cannot exceed the number of seconds specified in the Nonce maximum age field on the server level. If we do not specify a value, the default is 0 seconds.

7. Restart the server. If we change the Nonce cache timeout value and do not restart the server, the change is not recognized by the server.

Related concepts

Nonce, a randomly generated token

Related tasks

Configure nonce for the application level

(dist)(zos) Configure nonce for the cell level

(dist)(zos) Default bindings and security runtime properties