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= Tomcat DataSource Realms =
== Introduction ==
Useful information for configuring Tomcat !DataSourceRealms is spread out over 
three documents. This often leads to people using a simple JDBCRealm for 
authentication and authorization. There are at least two challenges when using 
a simple JDBCRealm for this purpose.

 1. High degree of synchronization can lead to poor performance on high volume 
sites
 1. Database connection timeouts on low volume sites can lead authentication 
failure

The Tomcat !DataSource realm addresses these issues by using a JNDI datasource. 
The realm can be configured with adequate pooling parameters to reduce 
synchronization issues, and a validationQuery to prevent database connection 
timeouts.

This document takes information from three Tomcat documents to  describe some 
ways to configure !DataSource Realms for authorization and authentication.

== Environments ==
The following two environments are used while writing this document.
||<tablewidth="400px" tableheight="365px"style="font-weight: bold;">Component 
||<style="font-weight: bold;">Version ||
||OS ||Fedora 13 32 bit ||
||JDK/JRE ||1.6.0_20 ||
||Tomcat ||6.0.26 ||
||Apache Derby ||10.5.3.0 ||
||IDE ||!NetBeans 6.8 ||
||Hibernate ||3.2.5 ga ||
||JSF ||1.2 ||
|| || ||
||OS ||Windows/XP Professional SP 4 32 bit ||
||JDK/JRE ||1.6.0_20 ||
||Tomcat ||6.0.26 ||
||Apache Derby ||5.1.31 ||
||IDE ||!NetBeans 6.8 ||
||Hibernate ||10.5.3.0 ||
||JSF ||1.2 ||




In order to test these configurations, a simple JSF / Hibernate / CRUD 
application based on the the following 
[[http://netbeans.org/kb/docs/web/hibernate-jpa.html|NetBeans JSF Tutorial]] 
was used. The entire application was wrapped up in a BASIC authentication 
scheme using the following web.xml portion.

{{{
    <security-constraint>
        <display-name>Entire application</display-name>
        <web-resource-collection>
            <web-resource-name>Everything</web-resource-name>
            <description>coarse grained approach</description>
            <url-pattern>/faces/*</url-pattern>
        </web-resource-collection>
        <auth-constraint>
            <description/>
            <role-name>user</role-name>
        </auth-constraint>
    </security-constraint>
    <login-config>
        <auth-method>BASIC</auth-method>
        <realm-name>Hibernate Application</realm-name>
    </login-config>
    <security-role>
        <description>generic user of application</description>
        <role-name>user</role-name>
    </security-role>
}}}
Finally, a separate authorization and authentication database was created in 
Apache Derby. This database consists of three tables and one view.

 1. USERS table with USERNAME and PASSWORD columns
 1. ROLES table with ROLENAME and DESCRIPTION columns
 1. ASSIGN table
  1. foreign keys for USERNAME and ROLENAME from the USERS and ROLES tables
  1. STATE column for active and inactive assignments
 1. AUTH view with USERNAME and ROLENAME
  1. joined on USERS and USERNAME
  1. joined on ROLES and ROLENAME
  1. conditional on ASSIGN.STATE being active

== Overview ==
The !DataSource realm actually consists of two components.

The first component is a JNDI JDBC data source resource. Documentation for 
setting this up can be found here:

 * 
[[http://tomcat.apache.org/tomcat-6.0-doc/jndi-resources-howto.html#JDBC%20Data%20Sources|JDBC
 Data Sources]]

=== IMPORTANT NOTE ===
Using a JNDI JDBC data source resource requires the JDBC driver to be visible 
to Tomcat. Thus, the JDBC driver needs to be placed in $CATALINA_HOME/lib (for 
Tomcat 6). Once this is done, '''do not put this driver in the application's 
WEB-INF/lib directory'''.

The second component is the actual Realm. Documentation for setting this up can 
be found in the following locations:

 * [[http://tomcat.apache.org/tomcat-6.0-doc/config/realm.html|Realm Component]]
 * 
[[http://tomcat.apache.org/tomcat-6.0-doc/realm-howto.html#DataSourceRealm|DataSource
 Realm]]

In particular, pay attention to the table and column mappngs required for the 
!DataSource realm. Combining this information leads to a working !DataSource 
realm for authentication and authorization.

= Three Scenarios =
Three configuration scenarios are presented below.

 * Everything in META-INF/context.xml which provides an application - specific 
configuration
 * !GlobalNamingResources and META-INF/context.xml which provides for multiple 
applications selectively using authentication
 * Everything in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml which provides a global Host or 
Engine configuration

== Everything in META-INF/context.xml ==
This is appropriate when each web application might use different 
authentication and authorization databases. This is also the simplest 
configuration to manage, since all configuration elements are in one location. 
Finally, this configuration will produce the most portable (between Tomcat 
installations) war file.

=== Resource Element ===
A Resource element is created in META-INF/context.xml to describe the database 
connection and provide a JNDI name. This is the same type of Resource 
description that is used for application - level JNDI data source. A sample 
fragment is shown below.

{{{
    <Resource
        name="jdbc/auth"
        description="Sample authentication"
        type="javax.sql.DataSource"
        auth="Container"
        driverClassName="org.apache.derby.jdbc.ClientDriver"
        maxActive="10" maxIdle="3"
        maxWait="10000"
        password="PASSWORD"
        url="jdbc:derby://localhost:1527/authorize"
        validationQuery="values(1)"
        username="USER"/>
}}}
This Resource element describes a connection to the authorization database 
mentioned in the '''Environments''' section above. Some items to note about the 
configuration are:

 * Replace the url, username, password, and driverClassName with those 
appropriate for the database being used
 * validationQuery should be lightweight and return at least one row. It is 
database - specific so check your database documentation

=== Realm Element ===
The Realm element references the Resource element given above. The section of 
META-INF/context.xml describing the Realm element is given below.

{{{
    <Realm className="org.apache.catalina.realm.DataSourceRealm"
           userTable="APP.USERS"
           userNameCol="USERNAME"
           userCredCol="PASSWORD"
           userRoleTable="APP.AUTH"
           roleNameCol="ROLENAME"
           localDataSource="true"
           dataSourceName="jdbc/auth"/>
}}}
The Realm element above describes a table and column mapping between the 
database described in the '''Environments''' section and the required elements 
for authorization and authentication. Some items to note about the above 
configuration are listed below:

 * . the realm is org.apache.catalina.realm.!DataSourceRealm
 * . dataSourceName must match the name given in the name attribute of the 
Resource element above
 * . localDataSource="true" must be defined in order to use a Resource defined 
in META-INF/context.xml (the default is ''false'')

=== Completed META-INF/context.xml ===
The completed META-INF/context.xml file is shown below.

{{{
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Context antiJARLocking="true" path="/HibernateApp">
    <Resource
        name="jdbc/auth"
        description="Sample authentication"
        type="javax.sql.DataSource"
        auth="Container"
        driverClassName="org.apache.derby.jdbc.ClientDriver"
        maxActive="10" maxIdle="3"
        maxWait="10000"
        password="PASSWORD"
        url="jdbc:derby://localhost:1527/authorize"
        validationQuery="values(1)"
        username="USER"/>
    <Realm className="org.apache.catalina.realm.DataSourceRealm"
           userTable="APP.USERS"
           userNameCol="USERNAME"
           userCredCol="PASSWORD"
           userRoleTable="APP.AUTH"
           roleNameCol="ROLENAME"
           localDataSource="true"
           dataSourceName="jdbc/auth"/>
</Context>
}}}
=== Summary for Everything in META-INF/context.xml ===
 1. Add security constraints and information to WEB-INF/web.xml
 1. Add Resource element to META-INF/context.xml
 1. Add Realm element to META-INF/context.xml

== Resource in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml and Realm in META-INF/context.xml 
==
This configuration can be appropriate when multiple applications need to use 
the same authentication and authorization database. The JNDI resource is 
described in the !GlobalNamingResources element of 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml. Each application that requires authentication 
and authorization via this resource should a Realm definition in 
META-INF/context.xml referencing the global name.

=== Resource Element ===
The Resource element used in the !GlobalNamingResources is the same one that is 
described above. The only difference is its placement. Below is the default 
!GlobalNamingResources element (without comments) as shipped with Tomcat 6.

{{{
  <GlobalNamingResources>
    <Resource name="UserDatabase" auth="Container"
              type="org.apache.catalina.UserDatabase"
              description="User database that can be updated and saved"
              factory="org.apache.catalina.users.MemoryUserDatabaseFactory"
              pathname="conf/tomcat-users.xml" />
  </GlobalNamingResources>
}}}
Adding the authentication and authorization resource to the above default 
implementation creates the following !GlobalNamingResources element in 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml.

{{{
  <GlobalNamingResources>
    <Resource name="UserDatabase" auth="Container"
              type="org.apache.catalina.UserDatabase"
              description="User database that can be updated and saved"
              factory="org.apache.catalina.users.MemoryUserDatabaseFactory"
              pathname="conf/tomcat-users.xml" />
    <Resource
        name="jdbc/auth"
        description="Sample authentication"
        type="javax.sql.DataSource"
        auth="Container"
        driverClassName="org.apache.derby.jdbc.ClientDriver"
        maxActive="10" maxIdle="3"
        maxWait="10000"
        password="PASSWORD"
        url="jdbc:derby://localhost:1527/authorize"
        validationQuery="values(1)"
        username="USER"/>
  </GlobalNamingResources>
}}}
This entry makes the authentication and authorization database available to all 
applications by referencing the JNDI name jdbc/auth.

'''NOTE:''' In order to make the new Resource available, Tomcat will have to be 
restarted once the $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml file has been modified.

=== Realm Element ===
Finally, in order for the web application to use this authentication and 
authorization resource, a Realm element needs to be added to 
META-INF/context.xml. An example is shown below.

{{{
    <Realm className="org.apache.catalina.realm.DataSourceRealm"
           userTable="APP.USERS"
           userNameCol="USERNAME"
           userCredCol="PASSWORD"
           userRoleTable="APP.AUTH"
           roleNameCol="ROLENAME"
           dataSourceName="jdbc/auth"/>
}}}
Items to note are listed below.

 * '''localDataSource="true"''' is no longer present, since the Resource is no 
longer local.
 * '''dataSourceName''' refers to the name of the Resource element in 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml

=== Completed META-INF/context.xml ===
The completed META-INF/context.xml file is shown below.

{{{
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<Context antiJARLocking="true" path="/HibernateApp">
    <Realm className="org.apache.catalina.realm.DataSourceRealm"
           userTable="APP.USERS"
           userNameCol="USERNAME"
           userCredCol="PASSWORD"
           userRoleTable="APP.AUTH"
           roleNameCol="ROLENAME"
           dataSourceName="jdbc/auth"/>
</Context>
}}}
=== Summary for GlobalNamingResources and META-INF/context.xml ===
 1. Add security constraints and information to WEB-INF/web.xml
 1. Modify $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
  1. Add the Resource sub-element to !GlobalNamingResources
  1. Restart Tomcat to make the new Resource availale
 1. Add the Realm element to '''each''' META-INF/context.xml that requires 
authentication and authorization

== Resource and Realm in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml ==
Sometimes every sub-element under a particular element requires the same set of 
authentication and authorization resources. Rather than duplicating the 
configuration for multiple resources, it may make sense to place both the 
Resource and Realm in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml. Possible scenarios are 
listed below.

 * Resource in !GlobalNamingResources and Realm in a Host element
  * The Resource provides the authentication and authorization JNDI resource to 
all components
  * The Realm makes authentication and authorization information available to 
all web applications under the Host element
 * Resource in !GlobalNamingResources and Realm in an Engine element
  * The Resource provides the authentication and authorization JNDI resource to 
all components
  * The Realm makes authentication and authorization information available to 
all hosts and applications under the Engine

Each web application that wishes to make use of the 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml - defined Realm must still obviously have 
security constraints configured in WEB-INF/web.xml.''' '''

=== Cascading Realms ===
Tomcat resolves multiple Realm definitions by using the most specific one for a 
given element. Examples are given below.

 * Realm definition in the Engine element of $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
  * Would be overridden by a Realm definition in a Host sub-element of the 
Engine element
  * Would be overridden by a Realm definition in the META-INF/context.xml for a 
particular application
 * Realm definition in the Host element of $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
  * Would be overridden by a Realm definition in the META-INF/context.xml for a 
particular application

=== CombinedRealm ===
One way to manage multiple Realms in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml is to use a 
!CombinedRealm. The !CombinedRealm provides a container for other Realms 
(sub-Realms). These Realms are '''tried in the order configured''', until an 
authentication match is is made or all sub-Realms are tried.

Care should be taken that authentication and authorization information '''does 
not unintentionally overlap'''. Some of the consequences are discussed below.

 * App1 uses Username/Password/Role from the first sub-Realm
 * App2 uses Username/Password/Role from the second sub-Realm

If a username/password for App2 exists in the first sub-Realm, then 
authorization depends on whether or not the appropriate username/role also 
exists in the first sub-Realm.

If a role for App2 exists in the first sub-Realm, then a user authenticating in 
that sub-Realm could gain inappropriate access to App2 depending on the 
username/role mapping.

There are also benefits to this approach. One sub-Realm could be used as an 
"administrator" Realm, while other sub-Realms could provide authentication and 
authorization for specific applications.

=== Configuration Using CombinedRealm ===
The following steps can be used to configure a !DataSource Realm in 
$CATALINA/conf/server.xml using a !CombinedRealm.

==== Resource Element ====
Add the required Resource element to the !GlobalNamingResources element in 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml. Below is the  default !GlobalNamingResources  
element (without comments) as shipped with Tomcat 6.

{{{
  <GlobalNamingResources>
    <Resource name="UserDatabase" auth="Container"
              type="org.apache.catalina.UserDatabase"
              description="User database that can be updated and saved"
              factory="org.apache.catalina.users.MemoryUserDatabaseFactory"
              pathname="conf/tomcat-users.xml" />
  </GlobalNamingResources>
}}}
Adding the authentication and authorization resource to  the above default 
implementation creates the following !GlobalNamingResources  element in 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml.

{{{
  <GlobalNamingResources>
    <Resource name="UserDatabase" auth="Container"
              type="org.apache.catalina.UserDatabase"
              description="User database that can be updated and saved"
              factory="org.apache.catalina.users.MemoryUserDatabaseFactory"
              pathname="conf/tomcat-users.xml" />
    <Resource
        name="jdbc/auth"
        description="Sample authentication"
        type="javax.sql.DataSource"
        auth="Container"
        driverClassName="org.apache.derby.jdbc.ClientDriver"
        maxActive="10" maxIdle="3"
        maxWait="10000"
        password="PASSWORD"
        url="jdbc:derby://localhost:1527/authorize"
        validationQuery="values(1)"
        username="USER"/>
  </GlobalNamingResources>
}}}
This entry makes the authentication and authorization  database available to 
all applications by referencing the JNDI name  jdbc/auth.

'''NOTE:''' In order to make the new  Resource available, Tomcat will have to 
be restarted once the  $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml file has been modified.

==== Realm Element ====
In order to avoid overriding the existing Engine-level Realm element in 
Tomcat's default $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml, a !CombinedRealm container 
will be used.

First, here is the default Realm as shipped with Tomcat 6.

{{{
<Realm className="org.apache.catalina.realm.UserDatabaseRealm"
       resourceName="UserDatabase"/>
}}}
Surround this Realm element with another Realm element defining the 
!CombinedRealm. Within that element place both the default Tomcat 
!UserDatabaseRealm and the !DataSourceRealm. The resulting section of 
$CATALINA/conf/server.xml will look like the following.

{{{
<Realm className="org.apache.catalina.realm.CombinedRealm">
    <Realm className="org.apache.catalina.realm.UserDatabaseRealm"
           resourceName="UserDatabase"/>
    <Realm className="org.apache.catalina.realm.DataSourceRealm"
           userTable="APP.USERS"
           userNameCol="USERNAME"
           userCredCol="PASSWORD"
           userRoleTable="APP.AUTH"
           roleNameCol="ROLENAME"
           dataSourceName="jdbc/auth"/>
</Realm>
}}}
'''NOTE:''' With both Realm and Resource information in 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml, no Realm or Resource elements pertaining to 
authorization and authentication should appear in META-INF/context.xml. An 
application may require other Resource elements, but any Realm element in 
META-INF/context.xml will '''override''' that provided in 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml.

==== Summary for Resource and Realm in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml ====
 1. Add security constraints to the application's WEB-INF/web.xml
 1. Add the JNDI resource to !GlobalNamingResources in 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
 1. Create a !CombinedRealm at the appropriate level in 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml (Engine is used in this example)
  1. Add the existing !UserDatabaseRealm to the !CombinedRealm as a sub-Realm
  1. Add the !DataSourceRealm to the !CombinedRealm as a sub-Realm
 1. Restart Tomcat to read the configuration changes in 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml

== Summary ==
The following outline summarizes the three approaches discussed above.

 1. Everything in META-INF/context.xml
  1. Add the Resource element describing the JNDI datasource
  1. Add the !DataSourceRealm element
   1. add localDataSource="true" to reference the local JNDI datasource
 1. Resource in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml and Realm in META-INF/context.xml
  1. Add the Resource element describing the JNDI datasource to 
!GlobalNamingResources in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
   1. Restart Tomcat to read the new Resource
  1. Add the !DataSourceRealm element to the application's META-INF/context.xml
 1. Resource and Realm in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
  1. Add the Resource element describing the JNDI datasource to 
!GlobalNamingResources in $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
  1. Add a !CombinedRealm Realm element the the Engine element of 
$CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
   1. Place the exisitng !UserDatabaseRealm inside this !CombinedRealm Realm 
element
   1. Place the application's !DataSourceRealm inside this !CombinedRealm Realm 
element
  1. Restart Tomcat to read the new $CATALINA_HOME/conf/server.xml
  1. Make sure that no overriding Realms or Resources are present in the 
application's META-INF/context.xml file

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