When you run an OpenShift cluster in an enterprise, you don’t want to create and manage separate usernames and passwords for every developer or admin. Instead, you connect OpenShift to the company’s existing identity system — like LDAP/Active Directory or OpenID Connect (OIDC) providers (Okta, Azure AD, Keycloak, etc.).
By doing this, users log in with their usual corporate credentials, and OpenShift automatically knows who they are and what groups they belong to.
How it Works
OpenShift has its own built-in OAuth server. This is the “gatekeeper” for user access. You plug your chosen identity provider into this gatekeeper.
With LDAP/Active Directory, OpenShift checks usernames and passwords against your directory.
With OIDC, OpenShift redirects users to your provider’s login page and trusts the response.
Either way, OpenShift uses the information returned — like username, full name, email, and group membership — to create or match the user inside the cluster.
Why Groups Matter
Groups are essential for Role-Based Access Control (RBAC) in OpenShift.
If your identity system already organizes people into groups (e.g., DevTeam, ClusterAdmins, ProjectViewers), you can sync these groups into OpenShift.
Once synced, you assign roles to the group instead of to individual users. This makes permissions much easier to manage — you just add or remove people from the group in your identity system, and OpenShift adjusts automatically.
LDAP in Practice
In an LDAP setup, you point OpenShift to your LDAP or Active Directory server. You provide:
Where to connect (server address)
How to search for users
How to search for groups (optional, for group sync)
You can then run a group sync process periodically so that OpenShift has an up-to-date list of groups and members.
OIDC in Practice
In OIDC, you register OpenShift as a trusted application in your identity provider. When a user logs in, OpenShift sends them to your provider’s login page. Once they log in successfully, the provider sends back their profile information and group memberships. OpenShift can then use those groups immediately — no separate sync job required.
Best Practices
Always use secure connections — LDAPS for LDAP, HTTPS for OIDC.
Start small — test with a few users and groups before rolling out to the whole company.
Use groups for permissions — don’t assign roles to individuals unless you have to.
Keep syncs regular — for LDAP setups, schedule group syncs so OpenShift stays in sync with your directory.
The Payoff
By configuring authentication and identity management properly:
Users have a single sign-on experience.
Admins save time managing accounts and permissions.
Security is stronger because you’re using a central, controlled identity system.
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