SimpleSAMLphp Setup on Windows Server [Part 1]

SimpleSAMLphp Setup on Windows is an award-winning application written in native PHP that deals with authentication. UNINETT leads the project and has a large user base, a helpful user community, and many external contributors. The main focus of SimpleSAMLphp Setup on Windows is providing support for SAML 2.0 as a Service Provider (SP). Kindly take a look at pSimpleSAMLphp[part 2] of this guide. However, SAML SSO works by transferring the user’s identity from one place (the identity provider) to another (the service provider). This is done through an exchange of digitally signed XML documents.

Steps followed to implement this:
 1. This environment was installed on AWS (Please see previous article on how to provision an instance on AWS, assign security group(s) and EIP) to successfully connect to the instance (server).

However, Install PHP on your server: For simplicity’s sake, I will split this article into three sections.

Install PHP
Install SimpleSAMLPHP
Configure SimpleSAMLPHP IDP, Connect to AD etc.

Install PHP on Windows Server 2012 on AWS

In this article, I will be installing PHP on Windows Server 2012 on AWS
PHP, a widely-used open-source web scripting language, powers dynamic web page construction.

Note: Moreover, You can install PHP by visiting the PHP site or by installing Apache/WAMP etc.

Use the Web Platform Installer to automate the installation and configuration of PHP on your server. Manually doing this can be highly challenging at times.
You will find the installer.
Download and launch the installer Web Platform Installer

Nonetheless, Now search for Web Platform Installer and Launch it

Now search for PHP, as shown below I selected PHP 5.6.31 and clicked on “Add”

The PHP installation will list missing dependent components for inclusion, connecting them with transitional clarity. However, Go ahead and click the “I Accept” button

Installation progress

Moreover, Once the installation finishes, the system will display a summary page detailing the installed components. Click on Finish.

Note: Therefore, If you are unlucky 😉 an error will be prompted that PHP Manager for IIS could not be installed. I was successfully able to install some PHP and its components but was unable to install PHP Manager for IIS.

Note: However, I had both ( .NET Framework 3.5 (includes 2.0 & 3.0) installed) etc. And none of the registry key modifications I found online helped.

Solution: Here is the installer for PHP manager. Now launch Windows IIS and Set recommendations for adding index.php to default file and automatically reset php when config.php is updated.

Click on the “View recommendations.” link.