Set up SAML with Okta#

This article explains how to set up SAML with Okta for an organization in Aiven. For more information on SAML and instructions for other identity providers, see the Set up SAML authentication article.

Prerequisite steps in Aiven Console#

  1. In the organization, click Admin.

  2. Select Identity providers.

  3. Click Add identity provider.

  4. Enter a name and select SAML. You can also select the groups that users will be added to when they sign up or log in through this authentication method.

You are shown two parameters needed to set up the SAML authentication in Okta:

  • Metadata URL

  • ACS URL

Configure SAML on Okta#

This is a two step process. First, you create the SAML SP-Initiated authentication flow and then you create a bookmark app that will redirect to the Aiven Console’s login page.

  1. Log in to the Okta administrator console.

  2. Go to the Applications tab.

  3. Click Create a new app integration.

  4. Select SAML 2.0 for the Sign on method, then click Next.

  5. Enter a name for the app and add a logo.

  6. Set its visibility for your Okta users and click Next.

  7. Set the following values in the app configuration:

    Parameter

    Value

    Single sign on URL

    ACS URL

    Audience URI (SP Entity ID)

    Metadata URL

    Default RelayState

    https://console.aiven.io/ when using the Aiven Console

    https://console.gcp.aiven.io/ when using Aiven GCP Marketplace Console

    https://console.aws.aiven.io/ when using Aiven AWS Marketplace Console

    Important

    The Default RelayState is the homepage of the Aiven Console and is fundamental for IdP initiated sign on to function correctly.

  8. Add an entry to Attribute statements with:

    Parameter

    Value

    name

    email

    value

    user.email

  9. Click Next and then click Finish. You are redirected to your application in Okta.

  10. Click the View Setup Instructions for the application.

  11. Go to the Sign On tab and copy the application data to be used in the final configuration in Aiven:

    • Identity Provider Signle Sign-On URL

    • Identity Provider Issuer

    • X.509 Certificate

  12. Go to the Assignments tab.

  13. Click Assign to assign users or groups to the Okta application.

Note

New users need to be assigned to the Aiven application in Okta for the login to be successful.

Finish the configuration in Aiven#

Go back to the Authentication page in the Aiven Console to enable the SAML authentication method:

  1. Select the name of the Okta method that you created.

  2. In the SAML configuration section, click Edit.

  3. Add the configuration settings from Okta:

    Parameter

    Value

    SAML IDP Url

    Identity Provider Single Sign-On URL

    SAML Entity ID

    Identity Provider Issuer

    SAML Certificate

    X.509 Certificate

  4. Toggle on IdP login and Enable authentication method.

  5. Click Edit Method to save the settings.

  6. In the Signup and link accounts URLs section, copy the appropriate link and send it to your users to switch them to the new IdP:

    • Signup URL: For users that don’t have an Aiven user account and need to create a new Aiven user linked to this IdP.

    • Account link URL: For users that already have an Aiven user account to link their existing Aiven user with the configured IdP.

Note

If you set up a SAML authentication method before and are now switching to a new IdP, existing users need to log in with the new account link URL to finish the setup.

Troubleshooting#

Authentication failed#

When launching Aiven SAML application getting the following error:

Authentication Failed

Login failed.  Please contact your account administrator for more details.

Check Okta authentication in Aiven console if IdP login and Enable authentication method are enabled.

Invalid RelayState#

If you get the Invalid RelayState, then you are attempting an IdP-initiated auth flow, for example by clicking the Aiven SAML app from the Okta UI. Previously, Aiven did not support IdP-initiated flows, but now it is possible if you set the Default RelayState in Okta to the corresponding console of your account as defined in the Configure SAML on Okta section.

The Okta password does not work#

Make sure to use the Account Link URL to add the Okta Authentication method to your Aiven profile.

Once linked, you should get the choice of multiple sign-in methods as well as see the other Authentication method in User Information -> Authentication section on the Aiven Console.