6.5.1

Table Of Contents
Understanding vCenter Single Sign-On
To effectively manage vCenter Single Sign-On, you need to understand the underlying architecture and
how it affects installation and upgrades.
vCenter Single Sign-On 6.0 Domains and Sites
(http://link.brightcove.com/services/player/bcpid2296383276001?
bctid=ref:video_sso_6_domains_sites)
How vCenter Single Sign-On Protects Your Environment
vCenter Single Sign-On allows vSphere components to communicate with each other through a secure
token mechanism instead of requiring users to authenticate separately with each component.
vCenter Single Sign-On uses the following services.
n
STS (Security Token Service).
n
SSL for secure traffic.
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Authentication of human users through Active Directory or OpenLDAP.
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Authentication of solution users through certificates.
vCenter Single Sign-On Handshake for Human Users
The following illustration shows the handshake for human users.
Figure 21. vCenter Single Sign-On Handshake for Human Users
Kerberos
vSphere Web Client
1
2
3
4
5
6
VMware
Directory
Service
CA
vCenter
Server
vCenter Single
Sign-On
1 A user logs in to the vSphere Web Client with a user name and password to access the
vCenter Server system or another vCenter service.
The user can also log in without a password and check the Use Windows session authentication
check box.
Platform Services Controller Administration
VMware, Inc. 24