...
Based on the formerly created design, a reference software will be implemented. This reference implementation provides a simple, easily deploy-able solution that includes all specified features using the reference architecture. This solution will be provided to the community as a publicly available open source software including technical documentation. This software is intended to be used by NRENS to create their own IdP as a Service offering for institutions in their country. We have already, again as part of previous work in this activity, identified a software product (SAMLidP.io) that is being used in by some members of the NREN community and seems to have a broad coverage of the required features. We think this product will provide a very good starting point.
Community Initiation
Several NRENs currently operate or plan to operate an IdP as a Service platform. Together with Task 4, the incubator will investigate the feasibility of starting an IdPaaS operators special interest group. After initial investigation, the Incubator will handover this activity to task 4.
Decision
Based on the described reasons, the Incubator activity will change it's course of action drastically. There won't be any official product, service or software support provided by GÉANT. The further development of this reference design and software is up to the community. The usage of these resources won't be restricted, so everyone and every organization is free to build their own solution on top. This applies to non-profit organizations as well as commercial vendors, which may offer similar products. The individual decisions and implications of this choice are listed below.
| Do's | Dont's |
|---|---|
Creation of a specifcation and design for a software that can be used to support an IdP as a Service offering | There won't be a service or product provided by GÉANT |
Development of a simple software that implements the specification, which will be provided as open source software on GitHub | The created software won't be owned software or supported by GÉANT |
The provided solution will enhance the already existing open source software samlidp.io | The development of the Campus IdP prototype implemented during GN4-2 will be stopped |
The results of this activity will be provided completely to the community for further support and development | There won't be a business plan regarding the provided solution |
The community will be informed about the availability of this open source software during the runtime of this activity | After delivering a design and software solution, the activity ends properly and there won't be any further actions for the Incubator |
In order to reflect this major change, the activity will be transferred from IdP as a Service Business case to IdP as a Service Software Solution.