Modern IT environments demand scalable, secure, and flexible solutions to manage web traffic and ensure seamless integration with enterprise systems. Oracle HTTP Server and WebGate are two integral components of the Oracle Identity and Access Management (IAM) suite that address these requirements. With the latest updates to Oracle Identity Management 12.2.1.4.0, Oracle is pleased to announce that both Oracle HTTP Server and WebGate are now available as containers. This update allows organizations to deploy these technologies using modern container orchestration with Kubernetes, bringing enhanced agility and scalability to IT environments.

Oracle HTTP Server and WebGate

Oracle HTTP Server (OHS) is a web server component based on the Apache HTTP Server and is enhanced to integrate seamlessly with Oracle Fusion Middleware. OHS acts as the primary point of contact for client HTTP requests and enables communication between web clients and backend applications. Oracle HTTP Server provides the following benefits:

  • Scalability: Load balancing and clustering to handle an increase of web traffic.

  • Security: Supports SSL/TLS encryption.
  • Performance optimization: Includes advanced caching mechanisms and integration with Oracle WebLogic Server for greater performance.

WebGate is a software agent installed on Oracle HTTP Server to enable integration with Oracle Access Manager (OAM). It acts as a bridge between the web server and the OAM server to enforce security policies and provide single sign-on (SSO) capabilities. WebGate functions through the following processes:

  • Intercepting requests: WebGate intercepts HTTP requests from clients and forwards them to the OAM server for authentication and authorization.
  • Policy enforcement: After validation, WebGate confirms that the requested resources are delivered only to authorized users.
  • Session management: WebGate enables centralized session management, including SSO for streamlined user access.

By acting as a gatekeeper, WebGate helps ensure secure access to enterprise resources and simplifies user management across multiple applications.

Benefits of Containerized Oracle HTTP Server and WebGate

Oracle continues to innovate with the release of the OHS and WebGate containers, empowering organizations to build highly flexible and future-proof IT infrastructures. The OHS and WebGate containers provide the following features and benefits:

  • Simplified deployment and DevOps: Containers allow teams to automate deployments and streamline application lifecycle management, reducing manual effort, cost, and time to deploy.
  • Portability: Containerized OHS and WebGate can run seamlessly across different environments, including on-premises data centers, public clouds, and hybrid setups.
  • Scalability: Containers allow organizations to scale their web server and security components dynamically, helping ensure that they can handle fluctuating workloads.
  • Improved resource efficiency: Containers provide lightweight, efficient runtime environments that optimize resource utilization compared to traditional virtual machines (VMs).

Conclusion

Oracle HTTP Server and WebGate are critical tools for organizations seeking secure, scalable, and high-performing IT environments. With their containerization, these technologies are now more agile, efficient, and aligned with modern IT practices. By using these innovations, customers can protect their assets, improve operational efficiency, and future-proof their IT infrastructure. 

For more information about how Oracle HTTP Server, WebGate, and the broader Oracle IAM suite can secure your enterprise assets, see the following resources: