Brightspace SAML Single Sign-On (SSO) | Login using Joomla into Brightspace SSO

Single Sign-On in Brightspace using Joomla IDP allows users to log in to Brightspace using Joomla by configuring Brightspace as a Service Provider (SP) and Joomla as a SAML Identity Provider (IDP). This guide will take you through a step-by-step process to configure SSO between the two platforms.

What is Brightspace?
Brightspace is a learning management system (LMS) developed by D2L (Desire2Learn), designed primarily for educational institutions, K-12 schools, and higher education. It provides a comprehensive platform for course management, content creation, assessment, and communication between instructors and students. Brightspace offers tools for online learning, blended learning, and personalized learning experiences. Key features include customizable course modules, discussion forums, video integration, gradebook management, and analytics for tracking learner performance and engagement. It is known for its user-friendly interface, mobile compatibility, and support for adaptive learning technologies. Brightspace aims to enhance teaching effectiveness and student engagement through innovative educational tools and resources.

Pre-requisites: Download And Installation

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Install Joomla IDP Plugin

• Download the zip file for the miniOrange Joomla IDP plugin.
• Log into your Joomla site’s administrator console.
• From left toggle menu, click on System, then under Install section click on Extensions.

• Upload the downloaded zip file to install the Joomla IDP plugin.

• Installation of the plugin is successful. Now click on Start Using miniOrange SAML IDP Plugin to configure miniOrange Joomla IDP plugin.

Steps to configure Brightspace SSO with Joomla as IDP.

1. Configure Brightspace as Service Provider

• Go to the miniOrange Joomla IDP plugin, navigate to the Identity Provider tab.
• Here, you can find the Identity Provider Metadata XML URL/File or endpoints like IDP Entity ID, SAML Login URL, SAML Logout URL (Premium Feature), and Certificate for SP configuration. Download the XML Metadata by clicking on the button as shown below.

• Login to your Brightspace domain as admin.
• To configure Single Sign On send an email to Brightspace Technical Support Team .
• Also, provide the Endpoints required from the Joomla IDP.

Name of Identity Provider	Joomla
Issuer URL	Provide the IDP-Entity ID / Issuer value from IDP metadata tab of the Joomla IDP Plugin
SSO URL	Provide the SAML Login URL from IDP metadata tab of the Joomla IDP Plugin
Certificate	Provide the Certificate downloaded from the IDP metadata tab of the Joomla IDP Plugin

• You configured successfully configured Brightspace with your Joomla IdP.

2. Configure Joomla as Identity Provider

• Now go to Components miniOrange Joomla IDP Service Provider

• Navigate to the Service Provider tab and complete the fields for Service Provider Name, SP Entity ID or Issuer, ACS URL, and NameID Format. Refer to this step to get Service Provider details. Fill in the other fields according to your requirements. Click on Save.

Enter the following values:

Service Provider Name	Choose appropriate name according to your choice.
SP Entity ID or Issuer	Service Provider Entity ID.
ACS URL	SP Assertion Consumer Service URL.
X.509 Certificate (optional) [For Signed Request]	Paste certificate value you copied from the Metadata file.
NameID Format	Select urn:oasis:names:tc:SAML:1.1:nameid-format:emailAddress.
Assertion Signed	Checked.


• Now click on Advance Mapping tab. Select the NameID Attribute and then click on Save Button.


You have successfully completed your miniOrange SAML 2.0 IDP configurations.

3. Attribute Mapping (Premium Feature)

• In the miniOrange Joomla IDP plugin, navigate to the Attribute Mapping tab.
• Here, you can configure Custom attribute mapping and also add additional User Attributes.

You have successfully configured Single Sign-On with Brightspace as Service Provider and Joomla as Identity Provider. If you require any further support or, if you are facing any difficulty please mail us on joomlasupport@xecurify.com

Free Trial

If you would like to test out the plugin to ensure your business use case is fulfilled, we do provide a 7-day trial. Please drop us an email at joomlasupport@xecurify.com requesting a trial. You can create an account with us using this link.

Additional Resources.

• What is Single Sign-On (SSO)
• What is SAML?
• Additional SAML IDP guides
• Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)