How does Okta ADSSO Work?
ADSSO leverages Okta’s cloud-based identity platform to validate Kerberos tickets, eliminating the need for on-premises agents. When users sign into your organizations Windows network, they’re automatically authenticated by Okta, granting access to authorized applications without additional login credentials. This process significantly enhances productivity and security, while eliminating the need to remember additional passwords.
Prerequisites and Considerations
To implement Okta Agentless Desktop SSO, you’ll need to:
- Create a service account and configure a Service Principal Name (SPN)
- Configure browsers for Windows and Mac to support Kerberos authentication
- Enable Okta Agentless DSSO in the Okta Admin Console
- Update the legacy Desktop SSO Identity Provider routing rule. Manage this from the Okta admin console > Identity Providers > Routing Rules tab.
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Limitations
While Agentless Desktop SSO offers numerous benefits, it’s important to note that it may not be suitable for all environments. Factors such as network configuration, security policies, and application compatibility should be carefully considered before implementation.
If your organization cannot support Kerberos or lacks the infrastructure to implement it, consider enabling Okta FastPass for passwordless authentication into your Okta dashboard - although not the same as agentless DSSO, this option will still give users a passwordless experience when signing in from a trusted network, device, or both.
Benefits of Okta's Agentless Desktop SSO
Streamlined User Experience
Okta’s Agentless Desktop SSO (ADSSO) revolutionizes the login process for users. By enabling automatic authentication when signing into the Windows network, ADSSO allows seamless access to cloud applications through Okta without the need for additional credentials. This single sign-on experience significantly enhances user productivity and satisfaction.
Reduced IT Overhead
The agentless approach of Okta’s ADSSO solution simplifies implementation and maintenance for IT teams. By eliminating the need for traditional agent such as Okta’s Integrated Windows Authentication (IWA) Web Agent on Active Directory servers or client software on user devices. This reduction in software management translates to lower operational costs and fewer potential points of failure.
Enhanced Security and Control
Leveraging Okta’s robust identity and access management capabilities, ADSSO provides organizations with centralized control over user access to desktop resources. This centralized approach enhances security by ensuring consistent policy enforcement across the enterprise. Additionally, Okta assumes responsibility for Kerberos validation, offering high availability and reducing the risk of authentication failures.
Cross-Platform Compatibility
Okta’s Agentless Desktop SSO integrates seamlessly with both Windows and macOS desktops. This cross-platform support ensures a consistent user experience across different operating systems, making it an ideal solution for diverse IT environments. Keep in mind that this solution requires that macOS devices be members of your Windows domain. If you do not have Active Directory then Agentless Desktop SSO will not work for your business.
How Okta Agentless Desktop SSO Works
Key Components and Process
The Agentless Desktop SSO process involves several key steps:
- Service account creation and Service Principal Name configuration
- Browser configuration for Windows and Mac computers.
- Enabling Agentless DSSO
- Updating the default DSSO Identity Provider routing rule
When a user attempts to access an Okta resource, Okta initiates a Kerberos authentication challenge to the user’s Key Distribution Center (KDC). This process occurs without the need for additional software on user devices, simplifying deployment and management.
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Configuring Okta for Agentless Desktop SSO
Setting Up Service Account and SPN
To begin configuring Okta for Agentless Desktop SSO, you’ll need to create a dedicated service account and configure a Service Principal Name (SPN). This crucial step establishes the foundation for secure communication between Okta and your Active Directory environment. Once you’ve created the dedicated service account, you’ll need to open the command prompt. You’ll have to modify the command below before you can use it. you’ll need to replace <myorg> and <okta|oktapreview|okta-emea|okta-gov.com> with your organizations Okta URL. <ServiceAccountName> will be replaced by the dedicated service account you created.
setspn -S HTTP/<myorg>.kerberos.<okta|oktapreview|okta-emea|okta-gov.com>.com <ServiceAccountName>
Domain administrator privileges are required to set the service principal name (SPN).
Lastly, you’ll need to add https://<myorg>.kerberos.<oktaorg>.com to the Intranet Site list in your Internet Settings for all the devices that you want using Agentless DSSO. Once again modifying the URL to use your Okta URL.
Enabling Agentless DSSO
Once the groundwork is laid, navigate to the Okta Admin Console and locate the Agentless Desktop SSO section under Security > Delegated Authentication. Here, you can select your desired DSSO mode: Off, Test, or On. We highly recommend performing a test prior to fully enabling the feature. Choose the appropriate Active Directory instance where you’ve configured the SPN, and provide the service account credentials.
Configuring Network Zones and Routing Rules
To ensure seamless functionality, add the network zones associated with the machines implementing Agentless DSSO. If you have Identity Provider (IdP) Discovery enabled, these options will be managed through IdP routing rules instead. After enabling Agentless DSSO, update the default Desktop Single Sign-on Identity Provider routing rule to complete the configuration process.
By following these steps, you’ll harness the power of Okta’s Agentless Desktop SSO, enhancing security and streamlining user authentication across your organization.
Troubleshooting Okta Agentless Desktop SSO Issues
Addressing Common Configuration Problems
When implementing Okta’s Agentless Desktop SSO (ADSSO), you may encounter some challenges. One frequent issue is not being routed to the ADSSO endpoint. To resolve this, ensure your IP address is added to the correct zone and that this zone is used for ADSSO. Additionally, verify that your browser can connect to the Key Distribution Center (KDC) on your domain. If connectivity is an issue, consider using a VPN to join your network.
Resolving Authentication and Performance Issues
Another common problem is authentication failures. Double-check that the username and password for the Service Principal Name (SPN) account are correct in both Active Directory and Okta’s configuration. If sign-on is slow or failing, you might need to increase the number of polling threads for your AD Agents or add new ones for your domains.
Addressing Technical Limitations
Be aware that Agentless DSSO doesn’t work if a user belongs to more than 600 security groups. This limitation occurs because the Kerberos token becomes too large for Okta to process, resulting in a 400 response and redirection to the regular sign-in page. Additionally, Windows functional levels 2008 or below use less secure RC4 encryption. For optimal security, upgrade to Windows 2008 or above to utilize the most secure encryption algorithms with your SSO implementation.
Technical Support and Troubleshooting
Encountering challenges during your Okta ADSSO setup? Our technical support team is ready to assist. Please feel free to use the Talk to Us section below for assistance on your Okta ADDSO configuration.
No. 1 Consulting Partner of Okta. Call today 888.959-2825
FAQ: Okta's Agentless Desktop
Is there a diagram that can help me understand the ADSSO workflow?
Okta ADSSO diagram and infograph.
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