Metadata and Metadata endpoint URL are the information required when integrating with groupware (IdP) to use SSO.
When configuring, you must register either a metadata file (XML) or a Metadata endpoint URL.
Overview of Metadata and Metadata Endpoint URL
Metadata
This is data that consolidates the configuration information required for SAML authentication (SSO integration) in one place. It primarily contains the following information to securely exchange authentication data between systems.
Entity ID: A unique identifier used to identify a service (IdP/SP)
Single Sign-On URL: The URL to which authentication requests are sent
Public key (certificate): Data used to verify that the transmitted data is legitimate
Metadata Endpoint URL
This is a dedicated URL that makes the configuration information (metadata) described above accessible from external systems.
Differences When Performing SSO Integration with Teachme Biz
If you configure the settings by uploading a metadata file, the Administrator must manually re-upload a new file whenever the certificate is renewed.
If the update is not performed, SSO login will no longer be possible once the certificate has Expired.
Related: Re-upload Metadata Following SAML Certificate Renewal (Web Browser Version)
On the other hand, if you integrate using a Metadata endpoint URL, Teachme Biz will automatically retrieve the latest information from the URL even if the Expiration Date of the certificate included in the metadata is renewed.
Therefore, no manual update work is required.
FAQ
Q. Is a certificate file different from metadata?
A. Yes, they are different.
A certificate file (.cer / .crt) is one of the components that make up metadata, and it contains the public key data used for verification.
A common misconfiguration is uploading only the certificate file instead of the metadata, but the integration cannot be completed because the required configuration information is insufficient.
Be sure to register either a metadata file (XML) or a Metadata endpoint URL.
Q. I am using a Metadata endpoint URL. If the certificate on the IdP side is renewed, will it be reflected immediately?
A. No, it will not be reflected immediately.
The timing at which the latest information is automatically retrieved depends on the "cache settings on the IdP side," and if no setting is specified, it may take up to one month.
Therefore, if you delete the old certificate immediately after switching to a new certificate on the IdP side, you will be unable to log in until the information is synchronized.
To prevent login errors, if the IdP side allows you to register multiple certificates, keep both the old and new certificates active and delete the old certificate only after Teachme Biz's automatic retrieval (up to one month) is complete.
If you are unable to register the old certificate, please click "Refresh" on the Single Sign-On Settings screen in Teachme Biz.
Related: "failed_to_update_sso_setting" is displayed on the Single Sign-On settings screen. What should I do?
https://help.teachme.jp/hc/en-us/articles/20180583072025