How Effective Is Oracle Identity Manager Deployment Model?

Oracle Identity Manager is a completely integrated, a super advanced next-generation identity management platform that enables organizations to breakthrough scalability and keep up the pace with the compliance of regulatory mandates. The identity manager helps to secure sensitive data and applications regardless of their location of hosting and helps to keep the operational costs exceedingly low. Oracle Identity Governance includes Oracle Identity Analytics, Oracle Identity Manager, and Oracle Privileged Account Manager.

Oracle Identity Manager Deployment Model (OIM)

In Oracle identity management every component of the application including design, core server engine and web application is written in Java and is executed using a multi-tier deployment model. The entire framework can be divided into four separate parts known as client tier, web tier, business tier and data tier.

Client Tier – In oracle identity manager usually two types of clients are used, namely web-based administrator and design based administrator console.  The web based console is used for managing the usage of resources and all other constructs that accompany them.  The development model on the other end of the spectrum is used by developers for the purpose of identity management. Its main function is to design and configure the core components like resource objects, provisioning processes, IT sources and to integrate the configurations so that communication can be enabled with physical applications. Both the models are capable of handling clients from many computers with similar policies defined in the OIM business logic tier.   

Web Tier – The web tier is often used as a web application container for OIM user interface. The web tier is entirely written Java and uses technologies like JSP, JavaBeans and Struts.  By using a host of different technologies the web tier can be deployed in numerous server applications and containers.

Business Logic Tier – This is the most important tier in the oracle identity manager deployment model. In this tier the provision of the user is determined including the target resource and the process. This tier leverages J2EE leverage pattern and is written using the Java language exclusively which gives it the benefit of platform neutrality and distributed component architecture. The business tier allows standard deployment platform for the integration of adapters and connectors.  Given the inherent distributed nature of J2EE, the business tier enjoys the benefit of being spread across multiple server deployments while having access to common metadata from the data tier.

Data Tier–   The data tier is primarily known as the relationship database whose main function is to store all data about access, identities and provisions for user end platforms. Only the data from the Java archive files which houses the code to connect to third party target system and resources is not included in this tier. The business tier has the exclusive rights of accessing the data tier. Any external tools and clients are strictly prohibited from entering this tier. Many organizations use database protection technologies like Oracle Database Vault and Transparent Data Encryption to keep their data safe and protected.

Oracle Identity manager has the ability to blend rich user experience along with extreme scalability. It is in fact one of the best in class suit for identity management solutions. It helps to secure access from all types of devices both within and beyond the firewall. It also helps to streamline self-service and audit reports which help an organization to make considerable savings.

While working on relatively less secure devices like mobile and tablets oracle provides a mobile security suite which has helped to build a feature rich cross platform for integrated applications. It also provides users with a comprehensive platform for account administration and account management.  It helps to simplify the entire process and creates opportunities for tapping into the future possibilities.  The software is operational with a wide range of different kind of operating system and hardware providing the user with maximum flexibility.