Setting the Authentication Method

As a system administrator in charge of the security, you determine the level of security that will be used to authenticate the Agents. You are also responsible for taking the necessary actions if an Agent is compromised or if you want to upgrade it.

This page includes the following:

Setting the Authenticating Method

There are three authentication methods available to define how the agent authenticates against the Automation Engine during initial setup: NO, LOCAL or LOCAL_REMOTE. For more information, see Agent Authentication.

You can set the authentication method using either the AE DB Load utility or the Automic Web Interface; however, it is recommended to use the AE DB Load utility.

Setting the Authentication Method Using the AE DB Load Utility

During a manual installation, you can use the AE DB Load utility to determine the authentication method and authentication key to be used in your system. Use the -T start parameter to define the authentication method (NO, LOCAL or LOCAL_REMOTE) and the -K start parameter for the authentication key.

Example

  • Authentication method: LOCAL_REMOTE
  • Authentication key: my_secret_key
UCYBDBld -B -TLOCAL_REMOTE –Kmy_secret_key

Both parameters must be used together. For more information, see Start Parameters - Utilities.

The AE DB Load utility automatically adds the selected option to the AUTHENTICATION key in the UC_AS_SETTINGS variable. For more information, see UC_AS_SETTINGS - Advanced Security.

Setting the Authentication Method Using the Automic Web Interface

  1. Log in to Client 0.

  2. Enter UC_AS_SETTINGS in the Global Search field at the top right hand corner of your screen.

  3. A dropdown list with a link to the variable opens up. Click it.
  4. The UC_AS_SETTINGS variable is displayed. Activate the checkbox next to AUTHENTICATION.
  5. Click the file icon in the Value 1 column to open the Cell Editor, where you can enter the method (NO, LOCAL or LOCAL_REMOTE).
  6. Save your changes.

The Authentication Key is exchanged during the first connection of the Agent. You can also revert the Agent authentication. In this case, it can no longer be used until it has been re-authenticated.

The authentication method you select affects the commands available for authentication in the list of Agents in the Administration perspective. For more information, see Agents (HOST).

See also: