What is the access point?
The access point is the gatekeeper for all resource and access requests. It interacts with the policy service to validate queries and authorize access. You can set up several access points, to handle situations with large numbers of access requests (load balancing).The access point functionality can be divided into web access, WAP access, and access via the Access Client.
- The web and WAP access supports a secure connection to information that is presented in HTML and WML formats in standard web and WAP browsers.
- By using the access client, secure access is enabled from more advanced TCP/IP clients such as Telnet. For more information, see Access Client.
A first access point was added during setup of the Hybrid Access Gateway system, see Deploy Hybrid Access Gateway and do initial setup. To change this setting or to add another access point, use the instructions on this page.
How does the access point function?
- Users can connect to the access point through any standard browser supporting SSL 3.0.
- The access points can operate in any network that supports TCP/IP with ports open for both HTTP and SSL. OpenSSL algorithms are supported, with no limitation of key lengths.
The access point supports a number of authentication methods used to identify and verify identification of users.
Advanced access control is implemented in the access point. The access control is performed in conjunction with a firewall and the access control in internal systems.
- The access points provide for validation of digital signatures when integrated with a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) solution.
The session to the client is handled by the use of cookies. Cookies generated from internal systems are never passed on from the access point to the client.