8
Managing Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)

This chapter explains how to configure the features of Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). If you use Secure Sockets Layer (SSL), you may also configure strong authentication, data integrity, and data privacy.

This chapter contains these topics:

Supported Cipher Suites

A cipher suite is a set of authentication, encryption, and data integrity algorithms used for exchanging messages between network nodes. During an SSL handshake, the two nodes negotiate to see which cipher suite they will use when transmitting messages back and forth.

The Oracle Internet Directory supports the following SSL cipher suites:

Table 8-1 SSL Cipher Suites Supported in Oracle Internet Directory

Cipher Suite	Authentication	Encryption	Data Integrity
SSL_RSA_EXPORT_WITH_DES40_CBC_SHA	RSA	DES40	SHA
SSL_RSA_EXPORT_WITH_RC4_40_MD5	RSA	RC4_40	MD5
SSL_RSA_WITH_NULL_SHA	RSA	None	SHA
SSL_RSA_WITH_NULL_MD5	RSA	None	MD5

SSL Client Scenarios

Oracle Internet Directory clients can use SSL 2.0 or SSL 3.0. A client over SSL can connect to a server anonymously or by using either simple or strong authentication.

When both a client and server authenticate themselves to each other, SSL derives the identity information it requires from the X509v3 digital certificates.

Configuring SSL Parameters

During start-up of a directory server instance, the directory reads a set of configuration parameters, including the parameters for the SSL profile. If you are going to run the directory with SSL enabled, you need to examine--and possibly reconfigure--the SSL parameters in the configuration set entry.

To run a server instance in secure mode, modify the configuration settings to run with the secure port 636 as the default port.

You can create and modify multiple sets of configuration parameters with differing values, using a different configuration set entry for each instance of Oracle Internet Directory. This is a useful way to accommodate clients with different security needs.

Oracle Corporation recommends that you create separate configuration sets and modify their SSL values, rather than modify SSL values in the default configuration set. This is because the default configuration set may be required by Oracle Support Services in the diagnosis of certain technical issues.

See Also:

"Managing Server Configuration Set Entries" for instructions on how to set these parameters

"Configuration Set Entry Attributes" for a description of these parameters

Configuring SSL Parameters by Using Oracle Directory Manager

You can examine and modify the values for the SSL configuration parameters in each configuration set entry that you have created and in each server instance that is currently running.

Note:
You cannot directly change the parameters for an active instance. If you want to change the parameters for an active instance, change the parameters in a configuration set entry and save it. After it is saved, you can stop current instances and refer to the newly modified configuration set in the start server message.

To view and modify SSL configuration parameters:

In Oracle Directory Manager's navigator pane, expand Oracle Internet Directory Servers > directory server > Server Management.
Expand either Directory Server or Replication Server, as appropriate. The numbered configuration sets are listed beneath your selection.
Select the configuration set that you want to examine. The group of tab pages for that configuration set entry appear in the right pane.

Select the SSL Settings tab page.

You can change the parameters in this tab page and save them. The fields in this tab page are described in the following table:

Field Description

SSL Enable

Select to enable SSL authentication. If you do not select this check box, SSL is not enabled, and you do not need to set any other parameters on this page.

SSL Authentication

Choose one of the following:

No SSL Authentication--Neither the client nor the server authenticates itself to the other. No certificates are sent or exchanged. In this case, SSL encryption/decryption only is used.

SSL Client and Server Authentication--Both client and server authenticate themselves to each other and send certificates to each other.

SSL Server Authentication--Only the directory server authenticates itself to the client. The directory server sends the client a certificate verifying that the server is authentic.

SSL Wallet URL

Type the location of the SSL wallet. If you elect to change the location of the Oracle wallet, you must change this parameter. You must set the wallet location on both the client and the server. For example, on Solaris, you could set this parameter as follows:
orclsslwalleturl=file:/Home/my_dir/my_wallet

On Windows NT, you could set this parameter as follows:
file:C:\my_dir\my_wallet

SSL Wallet Password

Type the password for the server-side wallet. This password was set during creation of the wallet. If you change the password, you must change this parameter.

SSL Wallet Confirm Password

Retype the new password in this field when you change the password.

SSL Port

The default SSL port is 636. You can change the SSL port.

Field	Description
SSL Enable	Select to enable SSL authentication. If you do not select this check box, SSL is not enabled, and you do not need to set any other parameters on this page.
SSL Authentication	Choose one of the following: No SSL Authentication--Neither the client nor the server authenticates itself to the other. No certificates are sent or exchanged. In this case, SSL encryption/decryption only is used. SSL Client and Server Authentication--Both client and server authenticate themselves to each other and send certificates to each other. SSL Server Authentication--Only the directory server authenticates itself to the client. The directory server sends the client a certificate verifying that the server is authentic.
SSL Wallet URL	Type the location of the SSL wallet. If you elect to change the location of the Oracle wallet, you must change this parameter. You must set the wallet location on both the client and the server. For example, on Solaris, you could set this parameter as follows: orclsslwalleturl=file:/Home/my_dir/my_wallet On Windows NT, you could set this parameter as follows: file:C:\my_dir\my_wallet
SSL Wallet Password	Type the password for the server-side wallet. This password was set during creation of the wallet. If you change the password, you must change this parameter.
SSL Wallet Confirm Password	Retype the new password in this field when you change the password.
SSL Port	The default SSL port is 636. You can change the SSL port.

See Also:
"Managing Server Configuration Set Entries by Using Oracle Directory Manager" for information about changing parameters in a configuration set entry

Configuring SSL Parameters by Using Command Line Tools

Issues Specific to This Release of Oracle Internet Directory

Oracle Internet Directory release 2.1.1, the Oracle directory replication server cannot communicate directly with SSL-enabled Oracle directory server instances.

If you intend to support both SSL and non-SSL clients on the same host, you need to configure two distinct server instances.

See Also:
Chapter 5, "Managing an Oracle Directory Server" for instructions on how to configure server instances

8Managing Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)