Recording

Introduction

In this article, we'll explore the concept of Identity Providers and how they work within the Data² platform. We'll understand what they are, how to use them, and what possibilities they offer for authenticating users in applications.

What are Identity Providers?

Identity Providers are resources used to validate a user's identity in a system. They let a user authenticate using their credentials from an external provider, such as Google, Twitter, or Facebook, for example. Unlike traditional authentication strategies, which only use a username and password, Identity Providers let an external agent validate the user's identity, providing a valid session for accessing the application.

How Identity Providers work in Data²

Let's start by understanding the standard authentication flow using AuthenticationStrategy in Data². In this case, the user enters their credentials (username and password, or email and password) on the login page. The Data² server validates these credentials and, if they're correct, returns a valid session for the user.

With Identity Providers, the flow is a bit different. Instead of typing their credentials, the user clicks a login button for a specific provider, such as Google, Twitter, or Facebook. This redirects the user to the external provider's login page, where they log in. After a successful login, the external provider redirects the user back to the application's home page with a token. Then, Data²'s AuthenticationStrategy verifies that token with the external provider and, if valid, returns a valid session for the user.

Practical example

Let's see in practice how to use Identity Providers in Data². I'll use an example with the Google provider, but the same concept can be applied to other providers.

In the example, we have a "Login with Google" button on our page. When we click this button, we're redirected to Google's login page. After logging in, we're redirected back to our home page with a token. The token is then validated by the Data² server with the Google provider and, if valid, a valid session is returned to the user.

Configuring Identity Providers

To configure Identity Providers in Data², we use AuthenticationStrategy. There, you can add the desired Identity Providers and define the specific settings for each one. You can choose the fields that will be used to verify the user's identity and define whether new users are allowed to register through external providers.

Conclusion

Identity Providers are a secure, practical way to authenticate users in applications. They let users use their access credentials from external providers to validate their identity. In Data², you can configure and use Identity Providers simply and efficiently, offering users an easy, reliable authentication experience.