1 Introduction and Roadmap

The following sections describe the contents and organization of this guide—Programming WebLogic Security:

Document Scope

This document explains how to use the WebLogic Server security programming features.

See Related Information for a description of other WebLogic Server security documentation.

Audience for This Guide

This document is intended for the following audiences:

  • Application Developers

    Java programmers who focus on developing client applications, adding security to Web applications and Enterprise JavaBeans (EJBs). They work with other engineering, Quality Assurance (QA), and database teams to implement security features. Application developers have in-depth/working knowledge of Java (including Java Platform, Enterprise Edition (Java EE) Version 5 components such as servlets/JSPs and JSEE) and Java security.

    Application developers use the WebLogic security and Java 2 security application programming interfaces (APIs) to secure their applications. Therefore, this document provides instructions for using those APIs for securing Web applications, Java applications, and Enterprise JavaBeans (EJBs).

  • Security Developers

    Developers who focus on defining the system architecture and infrastructure for security products that integrate into WebLogic Server and on developing custom security providers for use with WebLogic Server. They work with application architects to ensure that the security architecture is implemented according to design and that no security holes are introduced. They also work with WebLogic Server administrators to ensure that security is properly configured. Security developers have a solid understanding of security concepts, including authentication, authorization, auditing (AAA), in-depth knowledge of Java (including Java Management eXtensions (JMX), and working knowledge of WebLogic Server and security provider functionality.

    Security developers use the Security Service Provider Interfaces (SSPIs) to develop custom security providers for use with WebLogic Server. This document does not address this task; for information on how to use the SSPIs to develop custom security providers, see Developing Security Providers for Oracle WebLogic Server

  • Server Administrators

    Administrators who work closely with application architects to design a security scheme for the server and the applications running on the server, to identify potential security risks, and to propose configurations that prevent security problems. Related responsibilities may include maintaining critical production systems, configuring and managing security realms, implementing authentication and authorization schemes for server and application resources, upgrading security features, and maintaining security provider databases. WebLogic Server administrators have in-depth knowledge of the Java security architecture, including Web application and EJB security, Public Key security, and SSL.

  • Application Administrators

    Administrators who work with WebLogic Server administrators to implement and maintain security configurations and authentication and authorization schemes, and to set up and maintain access to deployed application resources in defined security realms. Application administrators have general knowledge of security concepts and the Java Security architecture. They understand Java, XML, deployment descriptors, and can identify security events in server and audit logs.

    While administrators typically use the Administration Console to deploy, configure, and manage applications when they put the applications into production, application developers may also use the Administration Console to test their applications before they are put into production. At a minimum, testing requires that applications be deployed and configured. This document does not cover some aspects of administration as it relates to security, rather, it references Securing Oracle WebLogic Server, Securing Resources Using Roles and Policies for Oracle WebLogic Server, and Oracle WebLogic Server Administration Console Help for descriptions of how to use the Administration Console to perform security tasks.

Guide to this Document

This document is organized as follows:

Related Information

In addition to this document, Programming WebLogic Security, the following documents provide information on the WebLogic Security Service:

Security Samples and Tutorials

In addition to the documents listed in Related Information, Oracle provides a variety of code samples for developers.

Security Examples in the WebLogic Server Distribution

WebLogic Server optionally installs API code examples in WL_HOME\samples\server\examples\src\examples\security, where WL_HOME is the top-level directory of your WebLogic Server installation. You can start the examples server, and obtain information about the samples and how to run them from the WebLogic Server Start menu.

The following examples illustrate WebLogic security features:

  • Java Authentication and Authorization Service

  • Outbound and Two-way SSL

The security tasks and code examples provided in this document assume that you are using the WebLogic security providers that are included in the WebLogic Server distribution, not custom security providers. The usage of the WebLogic security APIs does not change if you elect to use custom security providers, however, the management procedures of your custom security providers may be different.

Note:

This document does not provide comprehensive instructions on how to configure WebLogic Security providers or custom security providers. For information on configuring WebLogic security providers and custom security providers, see Securing Oracle WebLogic Server.

New and Changed Security Features in This Release

For a comprehensive listing of the new WebLogic Server features introduced in this release, see What's New in Oracle WebLogic Server.