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Universal Authentication Solution v2

Universal Authentication Solution v2 (UAS) provides Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication and authentication routing options for Blackboard users. UAS can be configured to handle a variety of incoming authentication protocols and convert those into a SAML login request for systems that support an IdP-initiated login. UAS provides a way to integrate other applications into Blackboard without the overhead of managing applications in an Enterprise Identity Provider authentication solution.

UAS allows for:

  • SSO authentication

    • MAC protocol (replaces the traditional auto-signon building block)

    • LTI

  • Authentication routing to a pre-defined authentication method based on the user’s institution role

  • Redirect after login

  • Email token authentication

The client is responsible for developing the logic to generate the signature in their application. UAS will accept the signature, validate it, and, if it’s valid, generate a SAML login request to Blackboard.

Configuring UAS is a multi-step process. You configure the incoming authentication request protocol and the outgoing SAML response in the UAS Settings. This service will act as a SAML proxy for your application. In Blackboard, you configure a SAML authentication based on your UAS SAML configuration to provide proper authorization into Blackboard.

You need to configure the roles that can access UAS. Users with those roles will be able to configure UAS and add authentication adapters.

Configure roles for UAS

  1. Sign into Blackboard with a system admin account.

  2. Access the Administrator Panel.

  3. Select Platform Extensions Manager in the Tools and Utilities section.

  4. Select Configuration on the Authentication Adapters Gateway tile.

  5. Choose the roles that will have access to Universal Authentication Solution v2 from the Auth Adapter Manager menu.

  6. Select Save.

Access UAS settings

  1. Sign in to Blackboard.

  2. Access the Administrator Panel.

  3. Select UAS Settings in the Tools and Utilities section.

A snippet of links from the Tools and Utilities area, including TDM Payment v2 Settings, TDM UWM v2 Settings, Tools. UAS Log Viewer, and UAS Settings. UAS Settings is highlighted in orange.

You will need at least two configured and enabled authentication adapters: an incoming adapter and the outgoing SAML adapter.