A SAML IdP service is a type of single sign-on (SSO) authentication service in Access Policy Manager^® (APM^®). When you use a BIG-IP^® system as a SAML identity provider (IdP), a SAML IdP service provides SSO authentication for external SAML service providers (SPs). You must bind a SAML IdP service to SAML SP connectors, each of which specifies an external SP. APM responds to authentication requests from the service providers and produces assertions for them.

A SAML service provider connector (an SP connector) specifies how a BIG-IP^® system, configured as a SAML Identity Provider (IdP), connects with an external service provider.

You can use one or more of these methods to configure SAML service provider (SP) connectors in Access Policy Manager^®.

• From metadata - Obtain a metadata file from the vendor and import it into Access Policy Manager. The advantage to this method is that the vendor provides the majority of all required data, including certificates. You can complete the configuration by simply typing a unique name for the SP connector, a very few additional required fields, and browsing to and importing the file. Access Policy Manager then configures the SP connector.
• From template - Use templates that Access Policy Manager provides for some vendors; for example, Google. The advantages to this method are that:
  • Most required data is included in the template
  • Additional required data is minimal. You can obtain it and certificates from the vendor
  After you select a template and type data into a few fields, Access Policy Manager configures the SP connector.
• Custom - Obtain information from the vendor and type the settings into the Configuration utility. To use this method, you must also obtain certificates from the vendor and import them into the BIG-IP^® system. Use this method when a metadata file or a template for an SP connector is not available.

This flowchart illustrates the process for configuring a BIG-IP^® system as a SAML identity provider (IdP) without providing an SSO portal.

1. On the Main tab, click Local Traffic > Virtual Servers .
   The Virtual Server List screen opens.
2. Click the Create button.
   The New Virtual Server screen opens.
3. In the Name field, type a unique name for the virtual server.
4. In the Destination Address field, type the IP address for a host virtual server.
   This field accepts an address in CIDR format (IP address/prefix). However, when you type the complete IP address for a host, you do not need to type a prefix after the address.
5. In the Service Port field, type 443 or select HTTPS from the list.
6. For the HTTP Profile setting, verify that the default HTTP profile, http, is selected.
7. For the SSL Profile (Client) setting, from the Available list, select the name of the Client SSL profile you previously created and move the name to the Selected list.
8. For the SSL Profile (Server) setting, from the Available list, select the name of the Server SSL profile you previously created and move the name to the Selected list.
9. Click Finished.

1. On the Main tab, click Access > Federation > SAML Identity Provider > Artifact Resolution Services .
2. Click Create.
   The Create New SAML Artifact Resolution Service popup screen opens, showing general settings.
3. In the Name field, type a name for the artifact resolution service.
4. In the Description field, type a new description.
5. Click Service Settings.
6. From the Virtual Server list, select the virtual server that you created previously.
   ARS listens on the IP address and port configured on the virtual server.
7. In the Artifact Validity (Seconds) field, type the number of seconds for which the artifact remains valid. The default is 60 seconds.
   The BIG-IP^® system deletes the artifact if the number of seconds exceeds the artifact validity number.
8. For the Send Method setting, select the binding to use to send the artifact, either POST or Redirect.
9. In the Host field, type the host name defined for the virtual server, for example ars.siterequest.com.
10. In the Port field, type the port number defined in the virtual server. The default is 443.
11. Click Security Settings.
12. To require that artifact resolution messages from an SP be signed, select the Sign Artifact Resolution Request check box.
13. To use HTTP Basic authentication for artifact resolution request messages, in the User Name field, type a name for the artifact resolution service request and in the Password field, type a password.
    These credentials must be present in all Artifact Resolve Requests sent to this ARS.
14. Click OK.
    The popup screen closes, leaving the Artifact Resolution Services list screen open.

1. On the Main tab, click Access > Federation > SAML Identity Provider > External SP Connectors .
   A list of SAML SP connectors displays.
2. Click Create.
   The Create New SAML SP Connector screen opens.
3. In the Service Provider Name field, type a unique name for the SAML SP connector.
4. In the SP Entity ID field, type a unique identifier for the service provider.
   This is usually a unique URI that represents the service provider. You should obtain this value from the service provider.
5. From the left pane, select Endpoint Settings.
   The appropriate settings are displayed.
6. Optional: In the Relay State field, type a value.
   The relay state can be an absolute path, such as /hr/index.html; it can be a URL, such as https://www.abc.com/index.html; or, it can be anything that the service provider understands. The information passed in relay state could be used by the service provider according to business logic. For example, some service providers use relay state to maintain a session state, while others use it to perform an action, such as redirecting the user to the page passed in relay state. APM sends the relay state value back to the service provider as part of the assertion response in the RelayState parameter.

   When the RelayState parameter is already part of the authentication request to the BIG-IP system, APM returns the value that was sent in the request. Otherwise, APM uses the value from this configuration.

7. In the Assertion Consumer Services area, specify at least one assertion consumer service.
   A service provider can use multiple bindings to receive an assertion from the Identity Provider. The service provider can specify a different assertion consumer service (ACS) URL for each binding, and provide a unique ACS URL index for the binding.

   To support SAML artifacts, make sure that at least one ACS specifies the artifact binding.

   1. Click Add.
      A new row displays in the table.
   2. In the Index field, type the index number, zero (0) or greater.
   3. If this is the default service, select the Default check box.
      You must specify one of the services as the default.
   4. In the Location URL field, type the URL where the IdP can send an assertion to this service provider.
      APM supports HTTP-Artifact binding, POAS (HTTP reverse SOAP) binding, and HTTP-POST binding to this service.
   5. From the Binding list, select Artifact, PAOS, or POST.
   6. Click Update.
8. From the left pane, select Security Settings.
   1. If the SP should sign the authentication or the artifact resolution requests that it sends to the SAML IdP (this BIG-IP system), select the Require Signed Authentication Request check box, select a private key from the Message Signing Private Key list, and select a certificate from the Message Signing Certificate list.
      This device (BIG-IP system as IdP) uses the certificate to verify the signature of the request from the SP.
   2. To require that the SAML IdP sign the assertion before sending it to the SP, select the Assertion must be signed check box, and select an algorithm from the Signing Algorithm list.
      Assertion must be signed is selected by default. Clearing this check box is not recommended.
   3. To require that the SAML IdP sign the response before sending it to the SP, select the Response must be signed check box.
      Note: The algorithm specified in the Signing Algorithm list applies to a signed assertion and a signed response.
   4. To require that the SAML IdP encrypt the assertion before sending it to the SP, select the Assertion must be encrypted check box, select a type from the Encryption Type list, and select a certificate from the Encryption Certificate list.
      APM supports AES128, AES192, and AES256 encryption types.
9. From the left pane, select SLO Service Settings.
   SLO stands for Single Logout.
   1. Optional: In the Single Logout Request URL field, type a URL specifying where APM should send a logout request to this service provider when the BIG-IP system initiates a logout request.
   2. In the Single Logout Response URL field, type a URL provided by the SP, where APM sends the logout response to the SP. 
   Note: APM supports HTTP-POST binding for the SLO service. For SLO to work, all entities (SPs and IdPs), must support SLO.
10. Click OK.
    The popup screen closes.

1. On the Main tab, click Access > Federation > SAML Identity Provider .
   The Local IdP Services screen opens.
2. Click Create.
   The Create New IdP Service popup screen displays.
3. In the IdP Service Name field, type a unique name for the SAML IdP service.
4. In the IdP Entity ID field, type a unique identifier for the IdP (this BIG-IP^® system).
   Typically, the ID is a URI that points to the BIG-IP virtual server that is going to act as a SAML IdP. If the entity ID is not a valid URL, the Host field is required.
   For example, type https://siterequest.com/idp, where the path points to the virtual server you use for BIG-IP system as a SAML IdP.
5. If the IdP Entity ID field does not contain a valid URI, you must provide one in the IdP Name Settings area:
   1. From the Scheme list select https or http.
   2. In the Host field, type a host name.
      For example, type siterequest.com in the Host field.
6. From the Log Setting list, select one of the following options:
   • Select an existing APM log setting.
   • Click Create to create a new log setting.
7. If you select SAML Profiles on the left pane, the Web Browser SSO check box is selected by default.
   At least one profile must be selected.
8. To specify that this IdP use an artifact resolution service, click Endpoint Settings on the left pane and select a service from the Artifact Resolution Service list.
9. On the left pane, select Assertion Settings and complete the settings that display:
   1. From the Assertion Subject Type list, select the type of subject for the IdP to authenticate.
   2. From the Assertion Subject Value list, select the name of a session variable.
      This variable, %{session.logon.last.username}, is generally applicable. Some session variables are applicable depending on the type of authentication that you use for your site.
   3. In the Authentication Context Class Reference field, select a URI reference.
      The URI reference identifies an authentication context class that describes an authentication context declaration.
   4. In the Assertion Validity (in seconds) field, type the number of seconds for which the assertion is valid.
   5. To encrypt the subject, select the Enable encryption of Subject check box.
      The Encryption Strength list becomes available.
   6. From the Encryption Strength list, select a value.
      Supported values are AES128, AES192, and AES256.
10. On the left pane, select SAML Attributes, and for each attribute that you want to include in the attribute statement, repeat these substeps.
    1. Click Add.
       A Create New SAML Attribute popup screen displays.
    2. In the Name field, type a unique name for the attribute.
       Usually, the name is a fixed string, but it can be a session variable.
    3. To add a value to the attribute, click Add, type a value in the Value(s) field, and click Update to complete the addition.
       You can use a session variable for the value.
       This example shows using a fixed string for the name and a session variable for the value. Name: user_telephonenumber and value: %{session.ad.last.attr.telephoneNumber}.
       You can repeat this step to add multiple values for an attribute.
    4. To encrypt the values, select the Encrypt check box and select a value from the Type list.
       Supported values for type are AES128, AES192, and AES256.
    5. Click OK.
       The Create New SAML Attribute popup screen closes.
11. Click Security Settings from the left pane.
    1. From the Signing Key list, select the key from the BIG-IP system store.
       None is selected by default.
    2. From the Signing Certificate list, select the certificate from the BIG-IP system store.
       When selected, the IdP (the BIG-IP system) publishes this certificate to the service provider so the service provider can verify the assertion. None is selected by default.
12. Click OK.
    The popup screen closes. The new IdP service appears on the list.

1. On the Main tab, click Access > Federation > SAML Identity Provider .
   The Local IdP Services screen opens.
2. Select a SAML IdP service from the list.
   A SAML IdP service provides authentication service.
3. Click Bind/Unbind SP Connectors.
   The screen displays a list of available SAML SP connectors.
4. Select only the SAML SP connectors that you want to use this service.
5. Click OK.
   The screen closes.

1. On the Main tab, click Access > Federation > SAML Identity Provider .
   The Local IdP Services screen opens.
2. Select a SAML IdP service from the table and click Export Metadata.
   A popup screen opens, with No selected on the Sign Metadata list.
3. For APM to sign the metadata, perform these steps:
   1. From the Sign Metadata list, select Yes.
   2. From the Signing Key list, select a key.
      APM uses the key to sign the metadata.
   3. From the Signature Verification Certificate list, select a certificate.
      APM exports the certificate to the metadata file. The system on which you import the metadata file can use the certificate to verify the metadata signature.
4. Select OK.
   APM downloads an XML file.

1. On the Main tab, click Access > Profiles / Policies .
   The Access Profiles (Per-Session Policies) screen opens.
2. Click Create.
   The New Profile screen opens.
3. In the Name field, type a name for the access profile.
   Note: A access profile name must be unique among all access profile and any per-request policy names.
4. In the SSO Across Authentication Domains (Single Domain mode) area, from the SSO Configuration list, select the name of the local SAML IdP service.
5. In the Language Settings area, add and remove accepted languages, and set the default language.
   A browser uses the highest priority accepted language. If no browser language matches the accepted languages list, the browser uses the default language.
6. Click Finished.

1. On the Main tab, click Access > Profiles / Policies .
   The Access Profiles (Per-Session Policies) screen opens.
2. Click the name of the access profile that you want to edit.
   The properties screen opens.
3. On the menu bar, click Logs.
   The access profile log settings display.
4. Move log settings between the Available and Selected lists.
   You can assign up to three log settings that enable access system logging to an access profile. You can assign additional log settings to an access profile provided that they enable logging for URl request logging only.

   Note: Logging is disabled when the Selected list is empty.
5. Click Update.

1. On the Main tab, click Access > Profiles / Policies .
   The Access Profiles (Per-Session Policies) screen opens.
2. In the Per-Session Policy column, click the Edit link for the access profile you want to configure.
   The visual policy editor opens the access policy in a separate screen.
3. Click the (+) icon anywhere in the access policy to add a new item.
   Note: Only an applicable subset of access policy items is available for selection in the visual policy editor for any access profile type.
   A popup screen opens, listing predefined actions on tabs such as General Purpose, Authentication, and so on.
4. On the Logon tab, select Logon Page and click the Add Item button.
   The Logon Page Agent properties screen opens.
5. Make any changes that you require to the logon page properties and click Save.
   The properties screen closes and the policy displays.
6. Add one or more authentication checks on the fallback branch after the Logon Page action.
   Select the authentication checks that are appropriate for application access at your site.
7. Optional: Add any other branches and actions that you need to complete the policy.
8. Change the Successful rule branch from Deny to Allow, and click the Save button.
9. Click the Apply Access Policy link to apply and activate the changes to the policy.
10. Click the Close button to close the visual policy editor.

Access policy to provide authentication for SAML service providers when this BIG-IP system is the IdP

1. On the Main tab, click Local Traffic > Virtual Servers .
   The Virtual Server List screen opens.
2. Click the name of the virtual server you want to modify.
3. In the Access Policy area, from the Access Profile list, select the access profile that you configured earlier.
4. Click Update to save the changes.