Welcome to our exploration of OCI Identity Domains. Before delving into the specifics, let’s clarify what an identity domain entails. Essentially, an identity domain serves as a container within OCI, encapsulating a user population along with associated configurations and security settings. It encompasses various elements such as user management, roles, federation, single sign-on, and advanced functionalities like Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA).
Conceptualizing Identity Domains
Within the OCI Identity and Access Management service, the identity domain acts as a fundamental organizational unit. It provides a structured approach to managing users and their permissions. Think of it as metadata that facilitates the segregation and administration of users based on specific criteria.
Use Cases for Identity Domains
The versatility of identity domains lends itself to various use cases within OCI. For instance:
- Environment Segregation: Organizations often maintain separate environments for development, testing, and production. Identity domains offer a means to segregate user identities and access controls across these distinct environments, ensuring isolation and security.
- Employee and Non-Employee Management: Identity domains facilitate the management of both employee and non-employee identities within a unified Identity as a Service (IDaaS) solution. This enables organizations to streamline identity management processes efficiently.
Types of Identity Domains
OCI offers several types of identity domains tailored to different requirements:
- Free Identity Domain: Every OCI account includes a default identity domain at no additional cost. This default domain allows users to manage access to OCI resources without any extra setup.
- Oracle Apps Premium: Designed for users of Oracle SaaS applications, PaaS, or GBU applications, this domain type enables centralized identity management for both cloud-based and on-premises Oracle applications.
- Premium Domain: Offering the highest level of service, the Premium Domain type supports both Oracle and non-Oracle applications. It provides extensive capabilities for hybrid scenarios, allowing seamless integration between cloud and on-premises environments.
- External User Domain: Tailored for consumer-facing applications or scenarios involving non-employee users such as contractors, this domain type facilitates scalable identity management with features like social login and self-service capabilities.
Flexibility and Scalability
While every OCI account begins with a default identity domain, users have the flexibility to create additional domains based on their specific needs. Moreover, it’s possible to transition between different domain types, subject to certain restrictions outlined in OCI documentation.
Conclusion
In conclusion, OCI Identity Domains offer a robust framework for managing user identities and access controls within the Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. Whether it’s segregating environments, managing diverse user populations, or supporting hybrid scenarios, the flexibility and scalability of identity domains empower organizations to maintain robust security postures while efficiently managing user access across diverse workloads.