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F5 VPN SAML integration

Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) is an extra layer of security used when logging into websites or apps. Individuals are authenticated through more than one required security and validation procedure that only they know or have access to.

Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) is a protocol for authenticating to web applications. SAML allows federated apps and organizations to communicate and trust one another’s users.

Arculix by SecureAuth offers a simple method for adding single sign-on (SSO) MFA to F5 VPN through its SAML solution.

Prerequisites

  • Configured Arculix instance and user account with administrative privileges for Arculix.

  • Configured Arculix LDAP Agent.

    For more information, see the Arculix LDAP Agent deployment guide.

  • User account with administrative privileges for F5 VPN.

F5 VPN configuration

In this section, you will configure F5 VPN as a service provider (SP).

  1. Download the SAML metadata and certificate for your organization from Arculix.

    Metadata download: https://sso.acceptto.com/<myorganization>/saml/download/metadata

    View metadata: https://sso.acceptto.com/<myorganization>/saml/metadata

    Certificate download: https://sso.acceptto.com/<myorganization>/saml/download/cert

  2. Log in to the F5 admin portal with an administrative account. Go to Access  > Federation > SAML Service Provider > Local SP Services and click Create.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_1.png

  3. On the Create New SAML SP Service page, set the folling configurations.

    Name

    Enter a name for this VPN.

    Entity ID

    Enter the URL of your F5 VPN.

    For example, https://f5.company.com

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_2.png

  4. Select the created service provider (SP) and click Bind/Unbind IdP Connectors.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_3.png

  5. Click Create New IdP Connector and then From Metadata.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_4.png

  6. Browse to the Arculix metadata XML file you downloaded earlier, enter a name for the Arculix Identity Provider and Click OK.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_5.png

  7. To use the new Arculix external IdP connector, click Add New Row and then Update.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_6.png

  8. Click OK to save your configuration.

  9. Select the created service provider and click Export Metadata. You will need this for the Arculix side of the configuration.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_3.png

Apply access policy

  1. From the F5 VPN admin portal, go to Access > Profiles / Policies > Access Profiles (Per Session Policies).

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_7.png

  2. In the Per-Session Policy column, click Edit for the VPN configuration.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_8.png

  3. On the Apply Access Policy page, to add SAML authentication, click + after Logon Page.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_9.png

  4. Go to the Authentication tab, choose SAML Auth, and click Add Item.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_10.png

  5. Set the AAA Server field to the VPN service provider you just created and click Save.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_11.png

  6. Remove the previous authentication methods and select Apply Access Policy.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_12.png

  7. Optional. You can edit the Login Page to automatically redirect to Arculix or change the Login button text to "Login with Arculix".

Arculix SAML configuration as an Identity Provider (IdP)

In this section, you will add an application for F5 VPN and set the SAML configuration settings. This will define the IdP side of the configuration.

  1. Log in to Arculix with an administrative account and go to Applications.

  2. Click Create New Application.

    Create new application

  3. In the New Application form, on the General tab, set the following configurations:

    Name

    Set the name of the application. This is the name to display for push notifications, in the Admin panel, Application portal, and audit logs.

    For example, F5 VPN.

    Type

    Set to SAML Service Provider.

    Out of Band Methods

    Select the allowed methods end users can choose to approve MFA requests.

    For example, Arculix Mobile app (push notifications), SMS, or Security Key.

    Message for MFA Requests

    Optional. Type a message displayed to end users when sending an MFA request via push notification, SMS, or email.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_13.png

  4. Select the SAML Service Provider Configuration tab, and set the following configurations:

    Issuer or Entity ID 

    Enter the Entity ID URL provided in the F5 VPN SAML metadata that you downloaded earlier.

    Log in URL 

    Enter your login URL provided by F5 VPN.

    NameID Format 

    Set to Email Address.

    Name Identifier 

    Set to Email.

    ACS URL 

    Enter the ACS URL provided in the F5 VPN SAML metadata.

    Single Logout URL

    Optional. Enter the Single logout URL provided in the F5 VPN SAML metadata.

    Algorithm

    Set to RSA-SHA256.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_14.png

  5. Save your changes.

Test your application integration

  1. Go to your F5 VPN URL and click Login with Arculix.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_15.png

  2. You will be redirected to the Arculix SSO page.

    F5_VPN_SAML_Integration_16.png

  3. After successful authentication, select your preferred MFA method to approve access to the F5 VPN application.

    Select MFA method

  4. You are redirected to the F5 VPN home page.

Support

If you have questions or need assistance, contact SecureAuth Support.

Sales

Want to learn more about our MFA solutions? Contact our Professional Services for a demo today.

Disclaimer

All product names, trademarks, and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

All company, product, and service names used in this document are for identification purposes only. The use of these names, trademarks, and brands do not constitute an endorsement by the SecureAuth Corporation.

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