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  5. Configuring Remote SSL OCSP Authentication
Manual Chapter : Configuring Remote SSL OCSP Authentication

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BIG-IP LTM

  • 11.6.5, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1
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Configuring Remote SSL OCSP Authentication

Overview of remote authentication for application traffic

As an administrator in a large computing environment, you can set up the BIG-IP system to use this server to authenticate any network traffic passing through the BIG-IP system. This type of traffic passes through a virtual server and through Traffic Management Microkernel (TMM) interfaces. Remote authentication servers typically use one of these protocols:

  • Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
  • Remote Authentication Dial-in User Service (RADIUS)
  • TACACS+ (derived from Terminal Access Controller Access Control System [TACACS])
  • Online Status Certificate Protocol (OCSP)
  • Certificate Revocation List Distribution Point (CRLDP)
  • Kerberos

To configure remote authentication for this type of traffic, you must create a configuration object and a profile that correspond to the type of authentication server you are using to store your user accounts. For example, if your remote authentication server is an LDAP server, you create an LDAP configuration object and an LDAP profile. When implementing a RADIUS, SSL OCSP, or CRLDP authentication module, you must also create a third type of object. For RADIUS and CRLDP authentication, this object is referred to as a server object. For SSL OCSP authentication, this object is referred to as an OCSP responder.

Task Summary

To configure remote authentication for this type of traffic, you must create a configuration object and a profile that correspond to the type of authentication server you are using to store your user accounts.

When implementing an SSL OCSP authentication module, you must also create a third type of object. This object is referred to as an OCSP responder.

Task list

Creating an SSL OSCP responder object for authenticating application traffic remotely

An SSL OCSP responder object is an object that you create that includes a URL for an external SSL OCSP responder. You must create a separate SSL OCSP responder object for each external SSL OCSP responder.
  1. On the Main tab of the navigation pane, click Local Traffic > Profiles .
  2. From the Authentication menu, choose OCSP Responders.
  3. Click Create.
  4. In the Namefield, type a unique name for the responder object, such asmy_ocsp_responder.
  5. In the URL field, type the URL that you want the BIG-IP system to use to contact the Online Certificate Status Protocol (OCSP) service on the responder.
  6. In the Certificate Authority File field, type the name of the file containing trusted Certificate Authority (CA) certificates that the BIG-IP system uses to verify the signature on the OCSP response.
You now have a responder that the SSL OCSP configuration object can reference.

Creating an SSL OCSP configuration object for authenticating application traffic remotely

The BIG-IP system configuration must include at least one SSL OCSP responder object.
An SSL OCSP authentication module checks the revocation status of an SSL certificate during remote authentication, as part of authenticating that certificate.
  1. On the Main tab of the navigation pane, click Local Traffic > Profiles .
  2. From the Authentication menu, choose Configurations.
  3. Click Create.
  4. In the Name field, type a unique name for the configuration object, such asmy_ocsp_config.
  5. From the Type list, select SSL OCSP.
  6. For the Responders setting, select a responder server name from the Available list, and using the Move button, move the name to the Selected list.
  7. Click Finished.
You now have an SSL OCSP configuration object that an SSL OCSP profile can reference.

Creating a custom SSL OCSP profile

The next task in configuring SSL OCSP-based remote authentication on the BIG-IP® system is to create a custom SSL OCSP profile.
  1. On the Main tab, click Local Traffic > Profiles > Authentication > Profiles .
    The Profiles list screen opens.
  2. Click Create.
    The New Authentication Profile screen opens.
  3. In the Name field, type a unique name for the profile.
  4. Select SSL OCSP from the Type list.
  5. Select the Custom check box.
  6. Select an SSL OCSP configuration object from the Configuration list.
  7. Select ssl_ocsp in the Parent Profile list.
  8. Click Finished.
The custom SSL OCSP profile appears in the Profiles:Authentication:Profiles list.

Modifying a virtual server for SSL OCSP authentication

The final task in the process of implementing SSL OCSP authentication is to assign the custom SSL OCSP profile to a virtual server that is configured to process HTTP traffic (that is, a virtual server to which an HTTP profile is assigned).
  1. On the Main tab, click Local Traffic > Virtual Servers .
    The Virtual Server List screen opens.
  2. Click the name of a virtual server.
  3. From the Configuration list, select Advanced.
  4. For the Authentication Profiles setting, in the Available field, select a custom SSL OSCP profile, and using the Move button, move the custom SSL OSCP profile to the Selected field.
  5. Click Update to save the changes.
The virtual server is assigned the custom SSL OSCP profile.
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