Users Guide

Dell OpenManage Security 39

Authentication

The Server Administrator authentication scheme ensures that the access types

are assigned to the correct user privileges. Additionally, when you invoke the

CLI, the Server Administrator authentication scheme validates the context

within which the current process is running. This authentication scheme

ensures that all Server Administrator functions, whether accessed through the

Server Administrator home page or CLI, are properly authenticated.

Microsoft Windows Authentication

For supported Windows operating systems, Server Administrator

authentication uses Integrated Windows Authentication (formerly

called NTLM) to authenticate. This authentication system allows Server

Administrator security to be incorporated in an overall security scheme

for your network.

Red Hat Enterprise Linux and SUSE Linux Enterprise Server Authentication

For supported Red Hat

Enterprise Linux

and SUSE

Linux Enterprise

Server operating systems, Server Administrator authentication is based on the

Pluggable Authentication Modules (PAM) library. This documented library of

functions allows an administrator to determine how individual applications

authenticate users.

Encryption

Access to Server Administrator is enabled over a secure HTTPS connection

using secure socket layer (SSL) technology to ensure and protect the identity

of the system being managed. Java Secure Socket Extension (JSSE) is used by

supported Windows, Red Hat Enterprise Linux, and SUSE Linux Enterprise

Server operating systems to protect the user credentials and other sensitive

data that is transmitted over the socket connection when a user accesses the

Server Administrator.

Microsoft Active Directory

The Active Directory Service (ADS) software acts as the central authority for

network security. ADS allows the operating system to verify a user's identity

and control that user’s access to network resources. For Dell OpenManage

applications running on supported Windows platforms, Dell provides schema

extensions for customers to modify their Active Directory database to support