Basic API Authentication

Overview

Basic authentication is the simplest form of API APIs (application programming interfaces) are a set of protocols and definitions developers use to build and integrate application software. APIs act as the connective tissue between products and services. authentication you can use. To start, an application sends an authorization request. This request contains a header that begins with the word Basic and a space. After that, it includes a base64 Base64 is an encoding and decoding technique used to convert binary data to an ASCII (American Standard for Information Interchange) text format. encoded string of the end-user’s End-users, also known as Express Users, are the individuals accessing an application through Express View. In most cases, end-users are the customers using the product. username:password. Since you use username and password, this type of authentication is user-based.

When creating basic authentication in Unqork, you can enter your username:password combination. Let’s say you set up a basic authorization of your own. You enter unqorkDemo for your username and 123zyx for your password. Your authorization header looks like this: Authorization: Basic dW5xb3JrRGVtbzoxMjN6eXg=.

Strings A string is an object that represents a sequence of characters. Strings typically hold data represented in text form. are easily encoded to and decoded from base64 Base64 is an encoding and decoding technique used to convert binary data to an ASCII (American Standard for Information Interchange) text format. using any free online tool. Though your basic authentication credentials use base64 Base64 is an encoding and decoding technique used to convert binary data to an ASCII (American Standard for Information Interchange) text format. encoding, they’re not encrypted. Because of this, only use basic authentication with other security mechanisms such as HTTPS HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is an application-layer protocol used to transmit hypermedia documents like HTML./SSL SSL, or Secure Sockets Layer, is a protocol that encrypts data sent between devices on the internet. It's used to create a secure connection between a browser and a website, or between two servers..

Setting Up Basic Authentication

To use basic authentication, you must set up a new service. Unqork automatically encodes your username and password entries into the base64 Base64 is an encoding and decoding technique used to convert binary data to an ASCII (American Standard for Information Interchange) text format..

To add a new service with basic authentication: 

1. At the top right of the screen, click Administration.
2. Under Integration, click Services Administration.
3. Click + Add a Service.
4. In the Service Title* and Service Name* fields, enter a name for your basic authentication service.
5. Click Next.
6. Set Share To to Inline image displaying a selected radio button. Environment.
7. Click Create. The service's page displays.
8. Click Inline image of the edit Workflow Node Settings icon.  Edit.
9. From the left menu, select Service Type.
10. From the Authentication Method drop-down menu, select Basic Auth.
11. In the Username and Password fields, enter the appropriate information.

A static image displaying an example Service with the appropiate fields filled out.

Now, when Unqork attempts to authenticate with that server, it automatically sends over the Authorization header. The Authorization includes the base64 Base64 is an encoding and decoding technique used to convert binary data to an ASCII (American Standard for Information Interchange) text format. encryption of your username:password combination.

Testing Basic Authentication

Before using your new authentication, try testing it to see if it works properly. Similar to other API authentication methods, you'll test your service integration. You can test your new integration by making an API call in any module. You can also test your integration using an external tool such as Postman. If your API APIs (application programming interfaces) are a set of protocols and definitions developers use to build and integrate application software. APIs act as the connective tissue between products and services. call is successful, your authentication is running smoothly. But, if you receive a 401 not authorized response error code, your authentication wasn't set up correctly.

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