Setting Up the ActivID Appliance

The ActivID Appliance solution can be installed in various scenarios involving all or only some of the following components:

  • ActivID Authentication Services – consists of the following applications:
    • ActivID Authentication Server – the core server that provides the authentication infrastructure to meet cross-channel requirements.
    • About the ActivID Authentication Portal – the portal that provides the logon interface for service provider authentication (including the ActivID Management Console and ActivID Self-Service Portal).
  • About the ActivID Management Console – the web-based interface to manage the authentication system.
  • ActivID Console - a pre-installed component on the appliance that allows you to initialize and configure the appliance.
  • ActivID UNIX Terminal - a pre-installed component of the appliance that is used to perform critical operations such as restarting the appliance. You can access this interface by connecting a monitor and keyboard to the appliance, or through the SSH protocol.
  • About the ActivID Self-Service Portal – the web-based interface that offers end users activation and management services for soft and hardware authentication devices.
  • ActivID RADIUS Front End (RFE) – enables OTP and static password authentication using the RADIUS protocol.
Note:  
  • The ActivID Appliance user interfaces, the ActivID Management Console, ActivID Authentication Portal, and ActivID Self-Service Portal, are browser-based and do not require client installation.
  • The portals support accessibility and are Section 508-compliant according to the US government regulations.
Important: Before proceeding, it is strongly recommended that you review the full setup procedure to understand the overall requirements and tasks, especially the sections that apply to your deployment and/or role.

If you have any questions, contact HID Global Professional Services.

Deployment Overview

The ActivID Appliance installation and configuration process consists of three steps:

  1. Create the virtual machine and start a virtual appliance – see Creating the VM using VMware ESXi.

  1. Log on to the ActivID UNIX Terminal and perform the initial configuration.

  2. Log on to the ActivID Console to Initialize and configure the appliance.

Installation Types

The ActivID Appliance installation type can be either Full or Front End, respectively deploying all or only some of the applications/components.

With the exception of the ActivID Console, the Front-End applications can also be disabled according to requirements.

The following tables detail the applications/components installed for both types.

ActivID Application Available for Installation Type Can be Enabled/Disabled

ActivID Console

Full and Front End

No

ActivID Authentication Server

Full only

No

ActivID Authentication Portal

Full only

No

ActivID RADIUS Front End (RFE)

Full and Front End

Yes

ActivID Management Console (MC)

Full and Front End

Yes

ActivID Self-Service Portal (SSP)

Full and Front End

Yes

ActivID Appliance Component Deployment

Component/Feature Available for Installation Type

Monitoring

Full and Front End

High Availability

Full only

License Management Server

Full only

Database

Full only

HSM

Full only
Note: Components that can be deployed off the appliance have to be installed on external systems.

About ActivID Appliance Administrator Accounts

The setup process requires the two administrator accounts:

Allows connecting to both the ActivID UNIX Terminal and the ActivID Console.

It also allows connecting to the appliance via SSH on port 40.

  • Default Username – appadmin

  • Default Password – password01

Note: For security reasons, you are forced to change the default password the first time that you log on to the ActivID UNIX Terminal.
Important:

  • Make sure you keep a record of the password

  • The password must contain a minimum of 6 characters

Allows root access to the appliance for emergency purposes.

  • Default Username – root (cannot be changed)

  • Default Password – password01

Note: For security reasons:

  • The System administrator does not have access to the ActivID UNIX Terminal and ActivID Console, and cannot access the appliance via SSH

  • It is strongly recommended that you change the default password using the Linux commands the first time that you log on to the ActivID UNIX Terminal

Important:

  • Make sure you keep a record of the password

  • The password must contain a minimum of 6 characters

For further information, see Manage the ActivID Appliance Administrator Accounts.

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