IBM Verify Identity Access Virtual Appliance

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This guide describes the installation and initial configuration of the IBM® Verify Identity Access virtual appliance.

Product overview

The IBM Verify Identity Access virtual appliance helps organizations secure and manage user access and protect applications against fraudulent and unauthorized access.

Procedure

  1. Evaluate the system configuration.

    Evaluate your hypervisor and browser versions based on the product requirements in the following website: http://www.ibm.com/software/reports/compatibility/clarity/index.html.

  2. Access the software.

    If you download your product from Passport Advantage®, follow the instructions in the download document at https://www.ibm.com/support/pages/node/7268688. The download includes the IBM Verify Identity Access virtual appliance firmware. It also includes an .iso image, a Virtual hard disk (VHD) file for XenServer, and a VHD file for Microsoft™ Azure.

  3. Gather network information.
    Use either DHCP or a static IP address to configure the appliance. For static IP address users, use this list to record important network information for configuring the appliance.
    • Hostname
    • Management IP address
    • Management Subnet Mask
    • Management Gateway
    • Management DNS server

    For DHCP, the appliance obtains a dynamically leased IP address from the local DHCP server when it is powered on. You can use DHCP discovery software to locate this IP address, or you can connect directly to the appliance console to manage the interface settings.

  4. Configure the virtual network.

    Correctly configure the network before you install and run the virtual appliance. The appliance can use up to eight network devices. You must define and enable at least one device for the system to function properly.

  5. (Option 1) Install the firmware in a virtual machine environment other than XenServer and Microsoft Azure.

    1. Create a new virtual machine with the following minimum specifications.
      • Disk space requirement - 100 GB
      • Memory requirement - 4 GB
      • Virtual network devices - 1 (Maximum 8)
      • Virtual DVD/CD-ROM drive
    2. Configure the virtual machine to start from the supplied .iso file.
    3. Start the virtual machine. The firmware installer starts automatically.
    4. (Previously partitioned virtual disk only) Select a language from the list of available languages.
    5. (Previously partitioned virtual disk only) The system prompts you to install the firmware. Enter yes.
    6. (Previously partitioned virtual disk only) When the firmware installation is complete, the system prompts you to restart. The virtual machine restarts to the appliance console unconfigured login prompt. If a previously partitioned disk does not exist, the system automatically shuts down after the installation is complete.
  6. (Option 2) Install the appliance on a XenServer hypervisor by using XenCenter.
    1. In the XenCenter console, expand the XenCenter icon on the left.
    2. Right-click the attached hypervisor and select Import. In the Import Source window, click Browse and select the VHD image to be imported. Click Open and then Next.
    3. In the VM Definition window, specify the name, number of CPUs, and memory of the virtual machine and click Next. In most scenarios, assign the virtual machine at least one processor and 2 GB of memory. These settings can be adjusted after the virtual machine starts running.
    4. In the Location window, select the destination hypervisor from the menu list on the right and click Next.
    5. In the Storage window, select Place imported virtual disks onto specified target SRs and click Next.
    6. In the Networking window, select the network for the first management interface and click Next.
    7. In the OS Fixup Settings window, select Don't use Operating System Fixup and click Next.
    8. In the Transfer VM Settings window, specify the settings for your network environment and click Next. If DHCP is not available in the network, you must specify a valid IP address, subnet, and gateway.
    9. In the Finish window, click Finish. The import operation might by lengthy. You can click the Logs tab to check the progress of the import.
    10. Start the imported virtual machine. You must configure at least one network interface for the appliance to start. Sometimes the XenCenter must be restarted before the new virtual appliance can be started correctly.
  7. (Option 3) Install the appliance in a Microsoft Azure environment.
    1. Obtain the Azure-ready VHD file.
    2. Upload the Azure-ready VHD file to Microsoft Azure.
    3. Create an image from the uploaded VHD file.
    4. Deploy the image as a new virtual machine by using Azure Portal or the command line.
  8. Get started
    1. Access the appliance console or the local management interface to start the wizard.
    2. Log in as the admin user. The default password is admin. To secure the appliance, change the password immediately when prompted by the wizard.
    3. Use the Appliance Setup wizard to complete the initial configuration. Follow the wizard prompts to configure the required details. The tasks in the wizard include:
      • Reading and accepting the License Agreement.
      • Setting the appliance password.
      • Configuring the network, which includes the host name, management interface settings, and DNS configuration.
      • Configuring the date and time settings.
    4. When you complete the basic configuration, a summary screen displays. For local management interface users: review the details on the Completion page and click Complete Setup. For appliance console users: follow the prompts to Accept the configuration.
    5. Download the activation key from your account on Passport Advantage at https://www.ibm.com/software/howtobuy/softwareandservices/passportadvantage.

More information

See the IBM Documentation.