Introduction

Nutanix Prism Central continues to evolve, providing administrators with cutting-edge tools to manage their IT infrastructure effectively. One of the standout features in the latest release, Prism Central 2024.1, is the revamped Identity and Access Management (IAM) interface. This update introduces a more independent and streamlined IAM system, enhancing usability and providing more granular control over user roles and permissions. In this blog post, we’ll explore the features of the new IAM interface and provide a step-by-step guide on how to configure it.

What is the Revamped IAM Interface?

The revamped IAM interface in Prism Central is designed to simplify the process of managing users, roles, and authentication mechanisms. This new interface is more intuitive and provides administrators with greater flexibility and control over access management. Key improvements include:

1. Independent Operation: The IAM system now operates more independently from other components, reducing interdependencies and improving stability.
2. Streamlined User Experience: The interface is more user-friendly, with a cleaner layout and easier navigation.
3. Granular Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Administrators can now create custom roles with fine-grained permissions, enhancing security and compliance.

Key Features

1. Enhanced User and Role Management

The new IAM interface allows administrators to view, create, and manage users and roles with ease. It provides a comprehensive overview of user details and system-defined roles, and supports the creation of custom roles tailored to specific organizational needs.

2. Simplified Authentication Management

The interface supports various authentication mechanisms, including local accounts, directory services, and SAML/IDP providers. This flexibility ensures that organizations can integrate Prism Central with their existing authentication infrastructure seamlessly.

3. Improved Security Controls

With the revamped IAM, administrators can implement more granular security policies. This includes setting specific permissions for actions such as viewing marketplace items, deploying applications, and managing infrastructure components.

Configuring the Revamped IAM Interface

Step-by-Step Guide

1. Accessing the IAM Interface

To begin configuring the IAM settings, log in to Prism Central as an administrator and navigate to the IAM section via the Admin Center.

2. Creating a Custom Role

Follow these steps to create a custom role with specific permissions:

1. Navigate to Roles Management:
   • Go to the IAM section in the navigation bar.
   • Click on “Roles Management” to view existing roles and create new ones.

1. Create a New Role:
   • Click on “Create Role”.
   • Enter a name and description for the role.
2. Set Permissions:
   • Choose from the available permissions to assign to the role. These permissions cover a wide range of actions, including viewing and managing applications, configuring network settings, and more.
   • For example, to create a role that allows a user to deploy applications but not manage infrastructure, select permissions related to application deployment and deselect those related to infrastructure management.
3. Save the Role:
   • Once you have selected the necessary permissions, click “Save” to create the role.

3. Adding Users to a Role

After creating a custom role, you can assign users to it:

1. Navigate to User Management:
   • In the IAM section, click on “User Management”.
2. Select a User:
   • Click on the user you want to assign the role to.
   • In the user details page, click “Edit Roles”.
3. Assign the Role:
   • Select the custom role you created from the list of available roles.
   • Click “Save” to apply the changes.

4. Configuring Authentication Providers

To integrate an external authentication provider:

1. Navigate to Authentication Settings:
   • In the IAM section, click on “Authentication”.
2. Add a Provider:
   • Click “Add Provider” and select the type of provider (e.g., SAML, LDAP).
   • Enter the necessary details such as the provider URL, certificates, and any other required information.
3. Test and Save:
   • Test the connection to ensure it is configured correctly.
   • Click “Save” to add the provider.

Benefits of the Revamped IAM Interface

1. Improved Usability

The streamlined design and intuitive layout make it easier for administrators to manage users and roles, reducing the time and effort required for access management tasks.

2. Enhanced Security

With granular RBAC and the ability to create custom roles, organizations can enforce stricter security policies, ensuring that users have only the permissions they need to perform their tasks.

3. Greater Flexibility

Support for multiple authentication providers allows organizations to integrate Prism Central with their existing identity management systems, providing a seamless and secure user experience.

Conclusion

The revamped IAM interface in Prism Central 2024.1 represents a significant improvement in user and role management, offering enhanced usability, security, and flexibility. By leveraging this feature, administrators can better control access to their IT infrastructure, ensuring a secure and efficient environment. Implement these changes today to take full advantage of the new IAM capabilities in Prism Central.

For more detailed information on configuring the IAM interface and other advanced features, refer to the