Manual Chapter : Configuring Remote CRLDP Authentication

Applies To:

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BIG-IP LTM

  • 11.6.5, 11.6.4, 11.6.3, 11.6.2, 11.6.1
Manual Chapter

Configuring Remote CRLDP 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 with CRLDP, you must create a configuration object and a profile that correspond to the authentication server you are using to store your user accounts. You must also create a third type of object. This object is referred to as a server object.

Task list

Creating a CRLDP configuration object for authenticating application traffic remotely

The CRLDP authentication module verifies the revocation status of an SSL certificate, as part of authenticating that certificate. A CRLDP configuration object specifies information that the BIG-IP system needs to perform the remote authentication.
  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_crldp_config.
  5. From the Type list, select CRLDP.
  6. In the Connection Timeout field, retain or change the time limit, in seconds, for the connection to the Certificate Revocation List Distribution Points (CRLDP) server.
  7. In the Update Interval field, retain or change the interval, in seconds, for the system to use when receiving updates from the CRLDP server.
    If you use the default value of 0 (zero), the CRLDP server updates the system according to the expiration time specified for the CRL.
  8. For the Use Issuer setting, retain the default value (cleared) or select the box.
    When cleared (disabled), the BIG-IP system extracts the CRL distribution point from the incoming client certificate. When selected (enabled), the BIG-IP system extracts the CRL distribution point from the signing certificate.
  9. For the CRLDP Servers setting, select a CRLDP server name in the Available list, and using the Move button, move the name to the Selected list.
  10. Click Finished.
You now have a CRLDP configuration object that a CRLDP profile can reference.

Creating a custom CRLDP profile

The next task in configuring CRLDP-based remote authentication on the BIG-IP® system is to create a custom CRLDP 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 CRLDP from the Type list.
  5. Select ssl_crldp in the Parent Profile list.
  6. Select the Custom check box.
  7. Select a CRLDP configuration object from the Configuration list.
  8. Click Finished.

Modifying a virtual server for CRLDP authentication

The final task in the process of implementing CRLDP authentication is to assign the custom CRLDP 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 CRLDP profile, and using the Move button, move the custom CRLDP profile to the Selected field.
  5. Click Update to save the changes.
The virtual server is assigned the custom CRLDP profile.