Installing and configuring Janus Network Security: Difference between revisions

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Before you can start using secured communications with <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var>,
Before you can start using secured communications with <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var>,
preliminary tasks must be completed.
some preliminary tasks must be completed.
Some of these tasks may be performed by different people, but they should occur in the following sequence:
The tasks should occur in the following sequence:
<ol>
<ol>
<li id="install">Install <var class="product">Janus TCP/IP Base</var>
<li>Install the <var class="product">Sirius Mods</var>, which contains <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var> support.
<ol>
<li>Install the <var class="product">SirMods</var>, which contains <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var> support.
<p class="note"><b>Note:</b> This requirement does not apply if your version of <var class="product">Model 204</var> is 7.5 or higher.
<p class="note"><b>Note:</b> This requirement does not apply if your version of <var class="product">Model 204</var> is 7.5 or higher.
</p> </li>


<li>Install or update <var class="product">[[RKTools]]</var>. </li>
This step would probably be done by the person responsible
</ol>
<p>
Step 1 would probably be done by the person responsible
for installing and supporting <var class="product">Model&nbsp;204</var> at your site.
for installing and supporting <var class="product">Model&nbsp;204</var> at your site.
If you are already running <var class="product">[[Janus Web Server]]</var>, this step involves
If you are already running <var class="product">[[Janus Web Server]]</var>, this step involves
some minor updates for support of <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var>. </p></li>
some minor updates in support of <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var>. </p></li>
 
<li>Install or update <var class="product">[[RKTools]]</var>. </li>


<li id="connect">Make an initial connection to a port that uses the
<li>Make an initial connection to a port that uses the Rocket-provided internal certificate.
Rocket-provided internal certificate.
<ol type="a">
<ol>
<li>Define and start the SSL port. </li>
<li>Define and start the SSL port. </li>
<li>Give appropriate user(s) correct privileges. </li>
<li>Give appropriate user(s) access privileges. </li>
<li>Download internal certificate as CA to browser. </li>
<li>Download internal certificate as CA to browser. </li>
</ol>
</ol>
<p>
<p>
In step 2 you test the success of your first connection, using the
Your initial connection tests your port, user, and web rule setup, using the
Rocket-provided internal certificate (discussed in [[Introducing Janus Network Security#selfca|Self-signed certificates]]).
Rocket-provided internal certificate (discussed in [[Janus Network Security#selfca|Self-signed certificates]]).
</p> </li>
</p> </li>
</ol>
</ol>
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Each of these steps is further described below. </p>
Each of these steps is further described below. </p>


==<b id="insbase"></b>Install Janus TCP/IP Base==
==<b id="insbase"></b><b id="insmods"></b>Install Sirius Mods==
As mentioned earlier, <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var> is generally installed as
an addition to <var class="product">Janus Web Server</var>.
It can also be installed without it, for use by other non-web Janus products.
In either case, some of the steps in the following subsections may have already been completed.
You should confirm each one before proceeding to the next step.
 
===<b id="insmods"></b>Install SirMods===
<p class="note"><b>Note:</b> This requirement does not apply to versions of <var class="product">Model&nbsp;204</var> after 7.4.
<p class="note"><b>Note:</b> This requirement does not apply to versions of <var class="product">Model&nbsp;204</var> after 7.4.
</p>
</p>


The <var class="product">[[SirMods]]</var> are a combination of features which provide a base of support for most Sirius products, and they must be installed prior to proceeding.
The <var class="product">[[Sirius Mods]]</var> are a set of features providing a base of support for most the products formerly owned by Sirius &mdash; they must be installed before proceeding.


You can confirm whether the <var class="product">SirMods</var> are installed and at the current release
You can confirm whether the <var class="product">Sirius Mods</var> are installed and at the current release level
by entering the following command at the <var class="product">Model 204</var> command line:
by entering the following at the <var class="product">Model&nbsp;204</var> command line:
<p class="code"><nowiki>SIRIUS
<p class="code">SIRIUS</p>
</nowiki></p>
The resulting display will include the current release of the
This will display various information regarding the configuration of
<var class="product">Sirius Mods</var>.
Sirius products in this online, including the current release of the
<var class="product">SirMods</var>.


===<b id="insulsp"></b>Install or update RKTools===
==<b id="insulsp"></b>Install or update RKTools==
A base portion of <var class="product">RKTools</var> is required for <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var>, so <var class="product">UL/SPF</var>
A few components of <var class="product">RKTools</var> are required for <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var>, so <var class="product">RKTools</var> must be installed prior to proceeding.
must be installed prior to proceeding.
More information is available in [[RKTools installation]].
More information is available in [[RKTools installation]].
<p class="note"><b>Note:</b> As part of <var class="product">RKTools</var> installation, you should allocate and
initialize a file called <code>JANSSL</code>, which
has the correct characteristics for storing an SSL private key.
The <code>JANSSL</code> file should be a minimum of 1050 pages;
the <var class="product">[[RKTools]]</var> <code>SIRIUS</code> file contains a sample <code>CREATE.JANSSL</code> deck.


<var class="product">RKTools</var> installation also creates a subsystem called <code>JANSSL</code>, which provides
<blockquote class="note">
components for the certificate management application.
<p><b>Note:</b> As part of <var class="product">RKTools</var> installation, the <code>JANSSL</code> file should be allocated and initialized. <code>JANSSL</code> is used to store SSL certificates, certificate requests and private keys. </p>
The <code>SIRIUS</code> file that contains the definition is <code>SUBSYS.DEF.JANSSL</code>.
<p>
As described later ([[#givpriv|Add appropriate users to the JANSSL subsystem]]), you may need to update the subsystem.
The <code>JANSSL</code> file should have a minimum of 1050 pages;
</p>
the <var class="product">RKTools</var> <code>SIRIUS</code> file (prior to version 7.7) or the <code>M204PROC</code> file (as of RKTools 7.7) contains a sample <code>CREATE.JANSSL</code> deck. </p>
<p>
<var class="product">RKTools</var> installation also creates the <code>JANSSL</code> subsystem, which is the SSL certificate management application.
The procedure containing the <code>JANSSL</code> subsystem definition is <code>SUBSYS.DEF.JANSSL</code> &mdash; it is also in file <code>SIRIUS</code> prior to RKTools 7.7, and in <code>M204PROC</code> for V7.7 and higher.
As described later ([[#givpriv|Add appropriate users to the JANSSL subsystem]]), you may need to update the subsystem. </p>
</blockquote>
<p>
If you have RKTools version 7.7 or higher, you probably want to [[RKTools installation#RKWeb (Model 204 Tools on the Web)|follow the directions]] to install RKWeb, the web interface that includes access to the <code>JANSSL</code> certificate management application. </p>


==<b id="usecert"></b>Make an initial SSL connection==
==<b id="usecert"></b>Make an initial SSL connection==
In order to implement and test the success of your first SSL
In order to implement and test your first SSL
connection, you can use the Rocket-provided internal certificate, which
connection, you can use the Rocket-provided internal certificate, which
was distributed with the <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var> tape (and discussed further
was distributed with <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var> (and discussed further
in [[Introducing Janus Network Security#Self-signed certificates|Self-signed certificates]]
in [[Janus Network Security#Self-signed certificates|Self-signed certificates]]
Ultimately, you will probably want to arrange to receive a certificate
Ultimately, you will probably want to arrange to receive a certificate
from a commercial certifying authority, as described
from a commercial certifying authority, as described
later in [[Implementing a server certificate]].
later in [[Implementing a server certificate]].


The steps in the subsections that follow describe how to set up
The following subsections describe how to set up and connect to a <var class="product">Janus Web Server</var> port.
and connect to a <var class="product">Janus Web Server</var> server port.
<ul>
If you are configuring a Janus <var>CLSOCK</var> SSL port, for example,
<li>If you are configuring a different type of Janus port, like an SSL-protected client socket port, for example,
the same sequence of steps apply (except for the last subsection),
the same sequence of steps applies except for these:
but the keywords <code>WEB</code> and <code>WEBSERV</code> in the JANUS
<ul>
command examples would be replaced as necessary by <code>CLSOCK</code>.
<li>The "Connect to the SSL port from a browser" subsection does not apply. </li>
 
<li>The keywords denoting the port type (<code>WEB</code> and <code>WEBSERV</code>) in the <var>JANUS</var> command examples would be replaced by <code>CLSOCK</code>. </li>
</ul></li>
 
<li>If you have RKTools version 7.7 or higher, and you installed and will use the RKWeb interface to access the <code>JANSSL</code> certificate management application, your SSL port is already defined. You can skip the port-definition specific instructions in the following subsection, but you still may need to start your SSL port and adjust the <code>JANSSL</code> subsystem information as described below. You can ignore the subsection describing how to connect to the SSL port from a browser; RKWeb makes this connection.</li>
</ul>


===<b id="sslport"></b>Define and start an SSL port===
===<b id="sslport"></b>Define and start an SSL port===
Your SSL port definition indicates that connections to the port
To define an initial SSL web port using the Rocket-provided internal certificate. a user with system manager or system administrator
are to use the Rocket-provided internal certificate.
In the server Online,
a user with system manager or system administrator
privileges must issue a command like:
privileges must issue a command like:
<p class="code"><nowiki>JANUS DEFINE SSLWEB 443 WEBSERV 5 SSL *
<p class="code">JANUS DEFINE <i>portName</i> 443 WEBSERV 5 SSL <i>sslInfo</i>
</nowiki></p>
</p>
where:
Where:
<ul>
<ul>
<li><code>SSLWEB</code> can be replaced by an arbitrary port name. </li>
<li><var class="term">portName</var> is an arbitrary port name as many as 30 characters in length. </li>


<li><code>443</code> can be replaced by an arbitrary port number
<li><var class="term">443</var> is an arbitrary port number (although 443 is the default for HTTPS). </li>
(although 443 is the default for HTTPS). </li>


<li><code>5</code> can be replaced by a different maximum thread value. </li>
<li><code>5</code> can be replaced by a different maximum thread value. </li>


<li><code>SSL *</code> indicates that the internal certificate and
<li><var class="term">sslInfo</var> may be an asterisk (<tt>*</tt>) to indicate that the internal, Rocket-generated, certificate and private key is to be used.  
private key is to be used.
If a certificate from a certifying authority is being used,
When a certificate from a certifying authority is being used,
replace <var class="term">sslInfo</var> with the file name and procedure name
you replace the <code>*</code> with the location and name of the procedure
that contain the certificate (for example, <code>SSL MYFILE MYCERTIFICATE.CERT</code>), as shown in [[Implementing a server certificate#portnew|Defining and starting a port]]. </li>
that contains the certificate, as shown in [[Implementing a server certificate#portnew|Defining and starting a port]]. </li>
</ul>
</ul>


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To start the port, enter:
To start the port, enter:
<p class="code"><nowiki>JANUS START SSLWEB
<p class="code">JANUS START SSLWEB
</nowiki></p>
</p>
where <code>SSLWEB</code> is the port name
where <code>SSLWEB</code> is the port name specified on the <var>JANUS DEFINE</var> command.
specified on the <code>JANUS DEFINE</code> command.
The port is started and SSL is enabled.
The port is started and SSL is enabled.


===<b id="givpriv"></b>Add appropriate users to the JANSSL subsystem===
===<b id="givpriv"></b>Add appropriate users to the JANSSL subsystem===
When the <var class="product">RKTools</var> installation is done, the user doing the install is given
When the <var class="product">RKTools</var> installation is done, the user doing the install is given privileges to run <code>JANSSL</code>.
privileges to run <code>JANSSL</code>.
If the user that did the <var class="product">RKTools</var> installation is
If the user that did the <var class="product">RKTools</var> installation is
not the one that will manage certificates and private keys, the latter
not the one who will manage certificates and private keys, the latter
user must be added as a <code>JANSSL</code> subsystem user (probably using
user must be added as a <code>JANSSL</code> subsystem user (probably using
SUBSYSMGMT).
SUBSYSMGMT).
Line 142: Line 128:
For example, if <code>MORT</code> issued the <var>JANUS DEFINE</var> command for the
For example, if <code>MORT</code> issued the <var>JANUS DEFINE</var> command for the
SSL port but <code>TAMARA</code> is going to manage certificates, add a rule like the following
SSL port but <code>TAMARA</code> is going to manage certificates, add a rule like the following
to the SSL port definition to allow <code>TAMARA</code> to access resources on
to the SSL port definition to allow <code>TAMARA</code> to access resources on that port:
that port:
<p class="code">JANUS WEB SSLWEB ALLOW * USER TAMARA
<p class="code"><nowiki>JANUS WEB SSLWEB ALLOW * USER TAMARA
</p>
</nowiki></p>


This is the best way to protect the server.
This is the best way to protect the server.
The following subsections describe three other ways that you can authorize users
The following subsections describe three other ways that you can authorize users to access the SSL port.
to access the SSL port.
Though you may be tempted to use them, <b><i>each of the following is discouraged</i></b>, as described below.
Though you may be tempted to use them,
For additional comments about access, see [[Janus Network Security#altacc|Many alternatives for restricting or permitting access]].
<b><i>each of the following is discouraged</i></b>, as described below.
For additional comments about access, see [[Introducing Janus Network Security#altacc|Many alternatives for restricting or permitting access]].


====<b id="alluser"></b>Allowing any valid logged-in user====
====<b id="alluser"></b>Allowing any valid logged-in user====
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An even simpler approach is to modify the rule as follows to
An even simpler approach is to modify the rule as follows to
allow any valid userid to access data on the SSL port:
allow any valid userid to access data on the SSL port:
<p class="code"><nowiki>JANUS WEB SSLWEB ALLOW * USER *
<p class="code">JANUS WEB SSLWEB ALLOW * USER *
</nowiki></p>
</p>


Although it is not recommended,
Although it is not recommended, note that this rule does <i>not</i> expose a security hole: without being a
note that this rule does <i>not</i> expose a security hole: without being a
JANSSL subsystem user, there is not much a user can do on the SSLthread.
JANSSL subsystem user, there is not much a user can do on the SSL
thread as shipped by Rocket.
(Remember, JANSSL is the subsystem installed with <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var> that provides
(Remember, JANSSL is the subsystem installed with <var class="product">Janus Network Security</var> that provides
support for the certificate management application.)
support for the certificate management application.)


However, this degree of access
However, this degree of access might become an issue as you add your own applications to the SSL
might become an issue as you add your own applications to the SSL
port, at which point it is up to you whether to enforce
port, at which point it is up to you whether to enforce
security through web rules, subsystem access rules, or internal application checks.
security through web rules, subsystem access rules, or internal application checks.
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It is possible to access the JANSSL subsystem through a non-SSL port
It is possible to access the JANSSL subsystem through a non-SSL port
by specifying a rule such as this:
by specifying a rule such as this:
<p class="code"><nowiki>JANUS WEB WEBPORT ALLOW /JANWEB/JANSSL* USER *
<p class="code">JANUS WEB WEBPORT ALLOW /JANWEB/JANSSL* USER *
</nowiki></p>
</p>
where <code>WEBPORT</code> is <i>not</i> your Janus SSL port.
where <code>WEBPORT</code> is <i>not</i> your Janus SSL port.
While possible, this is <b><i>strongly discouraged</i></b>,
While possible, this is <b><i>strongly discouraged</i></b>,
because the above web rule will result in unencrypted
because the above web rule will result in unencrypted
<var class="product">Model&nbsp; 204</var> passwords being sent over the network
<var class="product">Model&nbsp;204</var> passwords being sent over the network as JANSSL verifies access privileges.
as JANSSL verifies access privileges.


The only reason to allow access to JANSSL like this might be that there is local
The only reason to allow access to JANSSL like this might be that there is local network security that gives you confidence that this is not a problem, and for some reason, it is not possible for your browser to
network security that makes you feel confident that this is not a
work with the internal Janus certificate.
problem, and for some reason, it is impossible to get your browser
working with the internal Janus certificate.


====<b id="webujan"></b>Making WEBUSER a JANSSL subsystem user====
====<b id="webujan"></b>Making WEBUSER a JANSSL subsystem user====
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===<b id="initcon"></b>Connect to the SSL port from a browser===
===<b id="initcon"></b>Connect to the SSL port from a browser===
Having defined and configured an SSL port, you can now attempt a connection.
Having defined and configured an SSL port, you can now attempt a connection.
As described in [[Introducing Janus Network Security#How a browser should connect|How a browser should connect]],
As described in [[Janus Network Security#How a browser should connect|How a browser should connect]], the difference between connecting to an
the difference between connecting to an
SSL-secured port and an unsecured one is in the designation of the service
SSL-secured port and an unsecured one is in the designation of the service
in the URL sent from the browser.
in the URL sent from the browser.


To reach a secured port, you simply specify "https" rather than "http" in the
To reach a secured port, you specify "https" rather than "http" in the URL.
URL that points to your server.


If you chose to define the port with a number other than the default
If you chose to define the port with a number other than the default
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In response, your browser will probably initially display
In response, your browser will probably initially display
one or more notices informing you that the default
one or more notices informing you that the default
Sirius certificate has expired, that Sirius is an unknown certifying authority,
Sirius certificate has expired, that Sirius is an unknown certifying authority, or that the domain name you specified does not match the name on the certificate.
or that the domain name you specified does not match the name on
the certificate.
For more information about certificates and certificate authorities,
For more information about certificates and certificate authorities,
see [[Introducing Janus Network Security#certifs|Certificates]] and [[Introduction to Janus Network Security#cerauth|Certifying authorities]].
see [[Janus Network Security#certifs|Certificates]] and [[Janus Network Security#cerauth|Certifying authorities]].


At the browser, you can view the certificate for supporting evidence that it is indeed from
At the browser, you can view the certificate for supporting evidence that it is indeed from Sirius, then choose to accept it.
Sirius, then choose to accept it.
Next, you are prompted for your <var class="product">Model&nbsp;204</var> user ID and password.
Next, you are prompted for your <var class="product">Model 204</var> userid and password.


Finally, accessing this SSL port for the first time
Finally, accessing this SSL port for the first time invokes the Default Janus Web Home Page.
invokes the Default Janus Web Home Page.
You are taken to this page as the result of default <var>JANUS WEB ON</var> rules supplied
You are taken to this page as the result of default <var>JANUS WEB ON</var> rules supplied
with the <var class="product">Janus Web Server</var> (and viewable via the <var>JANUS DISPLAYWEB</var> command).
with the <var class="product">Janus Web Server</var> (and viewable via the <var>JANUS DISPLAYWEB</var> command).
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port that points to another page (see <var>[[JANUS WEB ON]]</var> for more information).
port that points to another page (see <var>[[JANUS WEB ON]]</var> for more information).


On the default home page, a link in the introduction ("configure and manage Janus SSL support")
On the default home page, a link in the introduction ("configure and manage Janus SSL support") points to a page that describes Janus SSL
points to a page that describes Janus SSL
and which restates much of the document you are now reading.
and which restates much of the document you are now reading.
This link and those in the Janus certificate application are also resolved
This link and those in the Janus certificate application are also resolved by default <var>JANUS WEB ON</var> rules.
by default <var>JANUS WEB ON</var> rules.


[[Implementing a server certificate]] describes how to get an
[[Implementing a server certificate]] describes how to get an

Latest revision as of 20:58, 7 June 2017

Before you can start using secured communications with Janus Network Security, some preliminary tasks must be completed. The tasks should occur in the following sequence:

  1. Install the Sirius Mods, which contains Janus Network Security support.

    Note: This requirement does not apply if your version of Model 204 is 7.5 or higher. This step would probably be done by the person responsible for installing and supporting Model 204 at your site. If you are already running Janus Web Server, this step involves some minor updates in support of Janus Network Security.

  2. Install or update RKTools.
  3. Make an initial connection to a port that uses the Rocket-provided internal certificate.
    1. Define and start the SSL port.
    2. Give appropriate user(s) access privileges.
    3. Download internal certificate as CA to browser.

    Your initial connection tests your port, user, and web rule setup, using the Rocket-provided internal certificate (discussed in Self-signed certificates).

Each of these steps is further described below.

Install Sirius Mods

Note: This requirement does not apply to versions of Model 204 after 7.4.

The Sirius Mods are a set of features providing a base of support for most the products formerly owned by Sirius — they must be installed before proceeding.

You can confirm whether the Sirius Mods are installed and at the current release level by entering the following at the Model 204 command line:

SIRIUS

The resulting display will include the current release of the Sirius Mods.

Install or update RKTools

A few components of RKTools are required for Janus Network Security, so RKTools must be installed prior to proceeding. More information is available in RKTools installation.

Note: As part of RKTools installation, the JANSSL file should be allocated and initialized. JANSSL is used to store SSL certificates, certificate requests and private keys.

The JANSSL file should have a minimum of 1050 pages; the RKTools SIRIUS file (prior to version 7.7) or the M204PROC file (as of RKTools 7.7) contains a sample CREATE.JANSSL deck.

RKTools installation also creates the JANSSL subsystem, which is the SSL certificate management application. The procedure containing the JANSSL subsystem definition is SUBSYS.DEF.JANSSL — it is also in file SIRIUS prior to RKTools 7.7, and in M204PROC for V7.7 and higher. As described later (Add appropriate users to the JANSSL subsystem), you may need to update the subsystem.

If you have RKTools version 7.7 or higher, you probably want to follow the directions to install RKWeb, the web interface that includes access to the JANSSL certificate management application.

Make an initial SSL connection

In order to implement and test your first SSL connection, you can use the Rocket-provided internal certificate, which was distributed with Janus Network Security (and discussed further in Self-signed certificates Ultimately, you will probably want to arrange to receive a certificate from a commercial certifying authority, as described later in Implementing a server certificate.

The following subsections describe how to set up and connect to a Janus Web Server port.

  • If you are configuring a different type of Janus port, like an SSL-protected client socket port, for example, the same sequence of steps applies except for these:
    • The "Connect to the SSL port from a browser" subsection does not apply.
    • The keywords denoting the port type (WEB and WEBSERV) in the JANUS command examples would be replaced by CLSOCK.
  • If you have RKTools version 7.7 or higher, and you installed and will use the RKWeb interface to access the JANSSL certificate management application, your SSL port is already defined. You can skip the port-definition specific instructions in the following subsection, but you still may need to start your SSL port and adjust the JANSSL subsystem information as described below. You can ignore the subsection describing how to connect to the SSL port from a browser; RKWeb makes this connection.

Define and start an SSL port

To define an initial SSL web port using the Rocket-provided internal certificate. a user with system manager or system administrator privileges must issue a command like:

JANUS DEFINE portName 443 WEBSERV 5 SSL sslInfo

Where:

  • portName is an arbitrary port name as many as 30 characters in length.
  • 443 is an arbitrary port number (although 443 is the default for HTTPS).
  • 5 can be replaced by a different maximum thread value.
  • sslInfo may be an asterisk (*) to indicate that the internal, Rocket-generated, certificate and private key is to be used. If a certificate from a certifying authority is being used, replace sslInfo with the file name and procedure name that contain the certificate (for example, SSL MYFILE MYCERTIFICATE.CERT), as shown in Defining and starting a port.

For more information about the JANUS DEFINE command, see JANUS DEFINE.

To start the port, enter:

JANUS START SSLWEB

where SSLWEB is the port name specified on the JANUS DEFINE command. The port is started and SSL is enabled.

Add appropriate users to the JANSSL subsystem

When the RKTools installation is done, the user doing the install is given privileges to run JANSSL. If the user that did the RKTools installation is not the one who will manage certificates and private keys, the latter user must be added as a JANSSL subsystem user (probably using SUBSYSMGMT). For example, if MARY installed RKTools but CURTIS is going to manage certificates, CURTIS must be added as a JANSSL subsystem user.

In addition, while using SUBSYSMGMT, make sure that the JANSSL subsystem communication global is NEXT, the exit value is LOG, and the procedure file is SIRIUS.

Add web rule to authorize user access to the port

When the web port using the internal private key is defined, Janus Web Server rules are automatically created so that the defining user can access any resource on the SSL port. If the user that issued the JANUS DEFINE command (in Define and start an SSL port) is not the one that will manage certificates and private keys, a rule must be added to allow the latter user to access resources on the SSL port.

For example, if MORT issued the JANUS DEFINE command for the SSL port but TAMARA is going to manage certificates, add a rule like the following to the SSL port definition to allow TAMARA to access resources on that port:

JANUS WEB SSLWEB ALLOW * USER TAMARA

This is the best way to protect the server. The following subsections describe three other ways that you can authorize users to access the SSL port. Though you may be tempted to use them, each of the following is discouraged, as described below. For additional comments about access, see Many alternatives for restricting or permitting access.

Allowing any valid logged-in user

The preceding paragraphs described how to add a web server rule to authorize an individual user to access the secured port. An even simpler approach is to modify the rule as follows to allow any valid userid to access data on the SSL port:

JANUS WEB SSLWEB ALLOW * USER *

Although it is not recommended, note that this rule does not expose a security hole: without being a JANSSL subsystem user, there is not much a user can do on the SSLthread. (Remember, JANSSL is the subsystem installed with Janus Network Security that provides support for the certificate management application.)

However, this degree of access might become an issue as you add your own applications to the SSL port, at which point it is up to you whether to enforce security through web rules, subsystem access rules, or internal application checks. The appropriate security mechanism for your site in this case is beyond the scope of this document.

Accessing JANSSL through non-SSL ports

It is possible to access the JANSSL subsystem through a non-SSL port by specifying a rule such as this:

JANUS WEB WEBPORT ALLOW /JANWEB/JANSSL* USER *

where WEBPORT is not your Janus SSL port. While possible, this is strongly discouraged, because the above web rule will result in unencrypted Model 204 passwords being sent over the network as JANSSL verifies access privileges.

The only reason to allow access to JANSSL like this might be that there is local network security that gives you confidence that this is not a problem, and for some reason, it is not possible for your browser to work with the internal Janus certificate.

Making WEBUSER a JANSSL subsystem user

Perhaps the worst way to provide access to the certificate management application is one of the following:

  • Define as a JANSSL subsystem user the default Model 204 account ID (normally WEBUSER) that is used for logons of URLs that require no user ID.
  • Make the JANSSL subsystem public.

These approaches let anyone with a browser generate (and overlay) private keys and certificates in the JANSSL file. Security is completely gone, and you might as well not use SSL. You could perhaps make this somewhat secure by limiting access to certain URLs based on IP address, but this is still considered risky from a security perspective.

Connect to the SSL port from a browser

Having defined and configured an SSL port, you can now attempt a connection. As described in How a browser should connect, the difference between connecting to an SSL-secured port and an unsecured one is in the designation of the service in the URL sent from the browser.

To reach a secured port, you specify "https" rather than "http" in the URL.

If you chose to define the port with a number other than the default of 443, you must specify that number as well. For example, for a site that is testing the secured port 8443, specify:

https://www.yourdomain.com:8443

If you have yet to generate an internal certificate, Janus Network Security produces by default an out of date Sirius self-signed certificate. In response, your browser will probably initially display one or more notices informing you that the default Sirius certificate has expired, that Sirius is an unknown certifying authority, or that the domain name you specified does not match the name on the certificate. For more information about certificates and certificate authorities, see Certificates and Certifying authorities.

At the browser, you can view the certificate for supporting evidence that it is indeed from Sirius, then choose to accept it. Next, you are prompted for your Model 204 user ID and password.

Finally, accessing this SSL port for the first time invokes the Default Janus Web Home Page. You are taken to this page as the result of default JANUS WEB ON rules supplied with the Janus Web Server (and viewable via the JANUS DISPLAYWEB command). You can change the default page by defining a JANUS WEB ON rule for your secured port that points to another page (see JANUS WEB ON for more information).

On the default home page, a link in the introduction ("configure and manage Janus SSL support") points to a page that describes Janus SSL and which restates much of the document you are now reading. This link and those in the Janus certificate application are also resolved by default JANUS WEB ON rules.

Implementing a server certificate describes how to get an SSL certificate for your site from a certifying authority. If you want to generate an update to the default Janus internal certificate, that is, generate a self-signed certificate that will bear your own site's current information and date, you also use the request form described in "Implementing a server certificate."

See also