Configuring Okta (SAML)

If your organization uses Okta Identity Provider (IdP) for user authentication, you can configure Rancher to allow your users to log in using their IdP credentials.

Note: Okta integration only supports Service Provider initiated logins.

Prerequisites

In Okta, create a SAML Application with the settings below. See the Okta documentation for help.

Configuring Okta in Rancher

1. In the top left corner, click ☰ > Users & Authentication.
2. In the left navigation menu, click Auth Provider.
3. Click Okta.

4. Complete the Configure Okta Account form. The examples below describe how you can map Okta attributes from attribute statements to fields within Rancher.

   Field	Description
   Display Name Field	The attribute name from an attribute statement that contains the display name of users.
   User Name Field	The attribute name from an attribute statement that contains the user name/given name.
   UID Field	The attribute name from an attribute statement that is unique to every user.
   Groups Field	The attribute name in a group attribute statement that exposes your groups.
   Rancher API Host	The URL for your Rancher Server.
   Private Key / Certificate	A key/certificate pair used for Assertion Encryption.
   Metadata XML	The Identity Provider metadata file that you find in the application Sign On section.

   Tip: You can generate a key/certificate pair using an openssl command. For example:

      openssl req -x509 -sha256 -nodes -days 365 -newkey rsa:2048 -keyout myservice.key -out myservice.crt

5. After you complete the Configure Okta Account form, click Enable.

   Rancher redirects you to the IdP login page. Enter credentials that authenticate with Okta IdP to validate your Rancher Okta configuration.

   Note: If nothing seems to happen, it’s likely because your browser blocked the pop-up. Make sure you disable the pop-up blocker for your rancher domain and whitelist it in any other extensions you might utilize.

Result: Rancher is configured to work with Okta. Your users can now sign into Rancher using their Okta logins.

SAML Provider Caveats:

• SAML Protocol does not support search or lookup for users or groups. Therefore, there is no validation on users or groups when adding them to Rancher.
• When adding users, the exact user IDs (i.e. UID Field) must be entered correctly. As you type the user ID, there will be no search for other user IDs that may match.

• When adding groups, you must select the group from the drop-down that is next to the text box. Rancher assumes that any input from the text box is a user.

  • The group drop-down shows only the groups that you are a member of. You will not be able to add groups that you are not a member of.