Zscaler, Inc.
Systems and methods for cloud-based service function chaining using security assertion markup language (SAML) assertion

Abstract:

A cloud-based method of service function chaining using Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) assertions includes receiving configuration information related to any of users, services, and correspondence between the users and the services; responsive to a request from a user, generating a SAML assertion for the request and attaching a stack of service tags with the SAML assertion, wherein the stack of service tags defines a service chain for the user and for the request; and providing the SAML assertion with the stack of service tags to the user in response to the request. The method can further include providing the SAML assertion by the user to one or more services, wherein each of the services creates a context based on the stack of service tags. Each of the services identifies itself in the stack and sends the SAML assertion to a next service or application in the stack.