Welcome to our comprehensive guide on setting up a Spring Boot application as a SAML 2.0 Service Provider. This project illustrates the integration of Spring Boot and Spring Security SAML for federated authentication. By following this tutorial, you will navigate through the technical maze with ease. Let’s dive in!

What You’ll Need

• Basic knowledge of Spring Boot and Java
• A valid account on SSOCircle for authentication tests
• Docker installed on your system (optional)

Project Overview

This project serves as a sample implementation of a SAML 2.0 Service Provider, configured with Spring Framework. It allows users to create a web solution for federated authentication without delving into XML configurations, using solely Java annotations instead.

Setting Up Your Environment

Before you begin, you need to ensure a suitable development environment is in place:

• Install Spring Boot to create production-grade applications.
• Set up Spring Security SAML Extension for seamless integration of SAML capabilities.

Running the Application

You have the choice of running the application directly or using Docker. Here’s a quick breakdown of both methods:

Run as Docker Container

If you prefer using Docker, follow these steps:

• Run a pre-built fat-jar with the command:

docker run -it --rm -p 8080:8080 -t vdenotarisspring-saml-sp:latest

• To compile the code and run the application using Maven, use:

docker run -it --rm -p 8080:8080 -t vdenotarisspring-saml-sp:2.4.0-mvn-jdk-8

• Access the running application by visiting http://localhost:8080.
• If you’re on Docker Machine, use docker-machine ip MACHINE_VM to get the correct IP address for access.

Understanding the Code

The configuration and how it all works together can be compared to assembling a puzzle. Each piece (like the SAML configuration, Docker setup, and your application logic) has a specific spot and fit. When the pieces are placed correctly through annotations and dependencies, the complete picture—a functional SAML 2.0 Service Provider—comes together seamlessly.

Troubleshooting Section

As with any project, you may encounter some bumps along the way. Here are common issues and solutions:

• Issue: SSLPeerUnverifiedException
• Solution: The certificate on SSOCircle can change often. Update the certificates in your keystore by running:

cd src/main/resources/saml
sh .update-certificate.sh

• Issue: Authentication errors with SSOCircle
• Solution: Update your federation metadata directly on SSOCircle by managing the Service Provider Metadata and reimporting your FQDN.
• Issue: Maven warnings regarding duplicate version
• Solution: You can safely ignore this message if your project version matches the Spring Boot parent version.

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Conclusion

By following this guide, you have set up a SAML 2.0 Service Provider using Spring Boot. This project not only showcases your configurations skills but also enhances your understanding of federated authentication.

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