Protecting WebLogic Server application using Oracle Entitlement Server

This post talks about protecting a WebLogic server application using Oracle Entitlement Server. This means coarse grained access which is page level access based on user user roles. Though OES is meant for fine grained access, we will discuss how a basic WL app can be protected at first. Later if you want to provide ATN using OAM and ATZ using OES, you can follow this.

I will talk about installing a WebLogic SSM, configuring the SSM and protecting sample WL app using SSM.

Install WebLogic SSM: WL SSM is used only to protect weblogic apps.
Run the installer and provide the following details.

1. Select BEA Home (You can install SSM either in the same Admin home or in a different location)
2. Select only OES SM For WLS [Notice OES SM Common is also selected ]
3. Enter the SCM name if you want to associate the WL SSM to an SCM (optional) 
4. Enter the administration url eg., https://admin_host_name:port/
5. Select the JDK (select latest version available in WebLogic server installation)

 After the installation is finished, click the Finish.


Applying Patch:The latest SSM patch available is CP3.
Extract the patch file and copy the patches folder to the $BEA_HOME/ales32-ssm
Edit the ApplySsmPatch.sh and provide jdk and ssm directory locations.
Run the patch as shown below.
To check status: ./ApplySsmPatch.sh status
To upgrade SSM to CP3

We will proceed to next step assuming the WebLogic domain is already created.

Configure SSM: This step involves creating an WL SSM instance
Edit the file myssm_config.properties for the following params.
wls.domain.dir = weblogic_domain_directory
ssm.conf.id = wlsapp (you will see )
db.password = abcd1234 (oes database user password used while running DBConfigTool)
ales.admin.password = abcd1234 (OES admin password)
ssm.admin.name = weblogic (Weblogic domain username)
ssm.admin.password = abcd1234
arme.port = 8000
ales.organization.scope = wlsapp_org (since CP3, Application scope is replaced with Organizational scope )
ales.identity.dir =wlsapp_dir (identity directory where users for this application in OES are stored)
db.jdbc.url = jdbc:oracle:thin:@db_server:1521:db_sid
db.jdbc.driver = oracle.jdbc.driver.OracleDriver (uncomment this line)
scm.name = adminconfig

Run the ConfigTool as shown below.
To check everything works: ./ConfigTool.sh -check myssm_config.properties (Advisory to run this command as it checks if there are any conflicts). The WebLogic server should be stopped before running this command.
To process : ./ConfigTool.sh -process myssm_config.properties
This will create the the WL SSM instance, organization with wlsapp in OES and policies.

Open the OES EUI console and access the Resources. Traverse to the organization wlsapp->shared->server and create New AdminServer and map it as Resource. Distribute the policies. Policy distributed is crucial and missing this will not allow weblogic server to start (will throw Authentication failed at booting stage) .

Start the WebLogic server.
Access the WLS console and see the new realm created and marked as true (default realm). Check the providers, Database Authenticator where the OES will authenticate users against the DB using this Authenticator.

Troubleshooting WebLogic Server

This post will present troubleshooting tips for errors that will across in WebLogic server.

Error: Problem invoking WLST - java.lang.UnsupportedClassVersionError: Bad version number in .class file
Done
Scenario: Trying to stop WebLogic Server
Solution: The jdk version used while creating the domain is not supported. Use higher version ( present in the same WebLogic server installed location) and point it while domain creation.


Note: I will be updating this post every now and then.