Are you tired of seeing a plethora of LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances being created every time a user logs in to your application using Keycloak 24? You’re not alone! Many developers have been scratching their heads trying to understand why this is happening. Fear not, dear reader, for today we’re going to dive deep into the inner workings of Keycloak and uncover the reasons behind this phenomenon.
What are LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances?
Before we dive into the why, let’s quickly cover the what. In Keycloak, a LOGIN event is triggered whenever a user successfully logs in to an application. This event is used to track user activity and can be used for auditing and reporting purposes. On the other hand, a KeycloakSession instance represents a user’s session in Keycloak. It contains information such as the user’s username, realm, and authentication data.
The Problem: Excessive LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances
So, why do we see so many LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances being created for a simple user login form? To understand this, let’s take a step back and examine the login process in Keycloak.
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User submits login credentials to the Keycloak server.
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Keycloak authenticates the user and returns an authorization token.
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The client application receives the token and uses it to authenticate the user.
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The client application creates a new KeycloakSession instance for the user.
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A LOGIN event is triggered and logged in Keycloak.
At first glance, this process seems straightforward. However, there’s a critical aspect to consider: the scope of the KeycloakSession instance. By default, Keycloak creates a new KeycloakSession instance for each application the user accesses, even if the user is already authenticated. This means that if a user logs in to multiple applications using the same Keycloak realm, multiple KeycloakSession instances will be created, resulting in multiple LOGIN events.
Why do I see so many LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances?
There are several reasons why you might see an excessive number of LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances:
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Multple applications sharing the same realm: As mentioned earlier, if multiple applications share the same Keycloak realm, each application will create its own KeycloakSession instance, resulting in multiple LOGIN events.
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Multiple login attempts: If a user attempts to log in multiple times, either due to incorrect credentials or network issues, multiple KeycloakSession instances will be created, each triggering a LOGIN event.
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Session timeouts: If the KeycloakSession instance times out, a new instance will be created when the user logs in again, resulting in multiple LOGIN events.
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Invalid or missing configuration: Misconfigured Keycloak settings, such as incorrect realm settings or invalid client IDs, can cause multiple KeycloakSession instances to be created.
Solutions to reduce LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances
Now that we’ve identified the culprits, let’s explore some solutions to reduce the number of LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances:
Configure KeycloakSession instance scope
One way to reduce the number of KeycloakSession instances is to configure the scope of the instance. You can do this by setting the `scope` parameter in the `keycloak.json` file:
{
"realm": "myrealm",
"resource": "myapp",
"auth-server-url": "https://keycloak.example.com/auth",
"ssl-required": "external",
"resource": "myapp",
"public-client": true,
"scope": "openid profile email"
}
By setting the scope to `openid profile email`, you’re limiting the scope of the KeycloakSession instance to only include the necessary data, reducing the number of instances created.
Use a single KeycloakSession instance for multiple applications
If you have multiple applications sharing the same Keycloak realm, you can configure Keycloak to use a single KeycloakSession instance for all applications. This can be achieved by setting the `use-resource-role-mappings` parameter to `true` in the `keycloak.json` file:
{
"realm": "myrealm",
"resource": "myapp",
"auth-server-url": "https://keycloak.example.com/auth",
"ssl-required": "external",
"resource": "myapp",
"public-client": true,
"use-resource-role-mappings": true
}
This configuration tells Keycloak to use the same KeycloakSession instance for all applications sharing the same realm, reducing the number of instances created.
Implement a custom login handler
Another approach is to implement a custom login handler that handles the login process and creates a single KeycloakSession instance for the user. This requires implementing a custom `LoginHandler` class that extends the `KeycloakLoginHandler` class:
import org.keycloak.adapters.springboot.KeycloakLoginHandler;
public class CustomLoginHandler extends KeycloakLoginHandler {
@Override
public void handleLogin(String redirectUri, Authentication authentication) {
// Create a single KeycloakSession instance for the user
KeycloakSession session = KeycloakSession.createRealmSession(realm, authentication);
// Store the session in the user's session
userSession.setAttribute("keycloakSession", session);
// Redirect the user to the application
redirectStrategy.sendRedirect(request, response, redirectUri);
}
}
Conclusion
In this article, we’ve uncovered the reasons behind the excessive number of LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances created for a simple user login form. By understanding the login process and configuring Keycloak accordingly, we can reduce the number of instances created and improve the overall performance of our application.
Remember, it’s essential to carefully evaluate your Keycloak configuration and implement the solutions that best fit your use case. By doing so, you’ll be able to provide a better user experience and reduce the administrative burden of managing multiple KeycloakSession instances.
Solution | Description |
---|---|
Configure KeycloakSession instance scope | Limit the scope of the KeycloakSession instance to only include necessary data |
Use a single KeycloakSession instance for multiple applications | Configure Keycloak to use a single KeycloakSession instance for all applications sharing the same realm |
Implement a custom login handler | Implement a custom login handler that creates a single KeycloakSession instance for the user |
By following these solutions, you’ll be able to tame the beast of excessive LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances, and provide a more efficient and scalable application.
Here are 5 Questions and Answers about “Keycloak 24 – Why are there so many LOGIN events and KeycloakSessions instances created for a simple user login form” in a creative voice and tone:
Frequently Asked Question
Get ready to unlock the mysteries of Keycloak 24 login events and sessions!
Why are there so many LOGIN events generated for a single user login attempt?
Keycloak 24 is designed to handle multiple authentication attempts, which can result in multiple LOGIN events. These events are triggered for each authentication request, even if it’s for the same user. Think of it like a security-conscious overachiever – better safe than sorry!
What’s the deal with all these KeycloakSession instances being created?
KeycloakSession instances are created to manage user sessions and authentication. Each instance represents a single login attempt, and multiple instances are created to accommodate concurrent login attempts. It’s like having multiple doors to the same house – each door (instance) allows a user to enter (login), but they’re all connected to the same house (Keycloak).
Can I limit the number of LOGIN events and KeycloakSession instances?
While you can’t completely eliminate these events and instances, you can adjust Keycloak’s session configuration to reduce their numbers. For example, you can set a shorter session timeout or implement a custom session manager. It’s like tweaking the number of doors in your house – you can control how many are open at any given time!
How do I troubleshoot excessive LOGIN events and KeycloakSession instances?
Start by enabling debug logging in Keycloak to identify the source of the issue. Then, analyze the logs to determine if there are any errors or misconfigurations. You can also use tools like the Keycloak Admin Console or external monitoring tools to visualize the login attempts and sessions. It’s like being a detective – gather clues, follow the trail, and solve the mystery!
Are there any performance implications from having many LOGIN events and KeycloakSession instances?
Yes, a high volume of LOGIN events and KeycloakSession instances can impact Keycloak’s performance. This is because each instance and event require system resources to process and store. However, Keycloak is designed to handle a large number of users and sessions, so it’s essential to monitor your system’s performance and adjust your configuration accordingly. It’s like optimizing your home’s energy efficiency – you want to use resources wisely!