Creating an authentication alias

An authentication alias is a feature that encrypts the password used by the adapter to access the database. The adapter can use it to connect to the database instead of using a user ID and password stored in an adapter property.

Before you begin

To create an authentication alias, you must have access to the administrative console of IBM® Business Process Manager or WebSphere® Enterprise Service Bus. You must also know the user name and password to connect to the database.

The following procedure shows you how to gain access to the administrative console through IBM Integration Designer. If you are using the administrative console directly (without going through IBM Integration Designer, log on to the administrative console and skip to step 2.

About this task

Using an authentication alias eliminates the need to store the password in clear text in an adapter configuration property, where it might be visible to others.

To create an authentication alias, use the following procedure.

Procedure

Start the administrative console.
To start the administrative console through IBM Integration Designer, perform the following steps:
1. In the Business Integration perspective of IBM Integration Designer, click the Servers tab.
2. If the server is not started, right-click the name of the server (for example, IBM Business Process Manager) and click Start.
3. Right-click the name of the server and click Run administrative console.
4. Log on to the administrative console. If your administrative console requires a user ID and password, type the ID and password and click Log in. If the user ID and password are not required, click Log in.
In the administrative console, click Security > Global security.
Under Java Authentication and Authorization Service, click J2C authentication data.
Create an authentication alias
1. In the list of J2C authentication aliases that is displayed, click New.
2. In the General Properties area, type the name of the authentication alias in the Alias field.
3. Type the User ID and password that are required to establish a connection to the database.
4. Optional: Type a description of the alias.
5. Click OK.
  The newly created alias is displayed.
  
  The full name of the alias contains the node name and the authentication alias name you specified. For example, if you create an alias on the node widNode with the name ProductionServerAlias, then the full name is widNode/ProductionServerAlias. This full name is the one you use in subsequent configuration windows.
6. Click Save.

Results

You have created an authentication alias, which you specify when you configure the adapter properties later in the wizard.