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{{Moodle_2.0}}This document explains how an administrator set up a web service for ordinary users.
{{Web services}}
==Introduction==
This document explains how an administrator can set up a web service for users to access a service. Each user will have a specific and unique security key (also known as a "token") to access the service.
A user goes on his security keys page. He gets a security key (also called token). He enters the key on the external application accessing to Moodle. At any time, a user can reset the key if he suspects that it has been stolen. The key is complex, long and difficult to generate. This is the recommended authentication method for web service. This document explains how a Moodle administrator can set it up.


== Enable the web service in Moodle ==
== Enabling web services==
  Settings block > Site Administration > Advanced features<br/>
[[Image:Enable_web_service.jpg|thumb|Enabling web services]]
  Check '''Enable web services''' option and '''Save Changes'''
# Access ''Settings > Site administration > Advanced features''
[[Image:enable_ws_option.png|800px]] 
# Check 'Enable web services' then click 'Save Changes'


== Enable a protocol ==
Note: For security reasons, web services should only be enabled if you intend to make use of it.
  Settings block > Site Administration > Plugins > Web services > Manage protocols<br/>
  Enable the desired protocol (SOAP, REST, XMLRPC, AMF, ...)
[[Image:ws_manageprotocal_settings.png|800px]]


== Enable capabilities to users==
== Enabling protocols ==
=== for create token ===
[[Image:Enable_protocol.jpg|thumb|left|Enabling protocols]]
you need to set "moodle/webservice:createtoken" capability to the users
Usually external applications that users wish to use dictate which protocols should be enabled.  
=== for protocols ===
you need to set the activated protocol (webservice/rest:use, webservice/soap:use,...) capability to the users


== Create a service with funtions ==
# Access ''Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Web services > Manage protocols''
  Settings block > Site Administration > Plugins > Web services > External Services
# Enable the protocols (SOAP, REST, XMLRPC, AMF, ...) as required
  Click on '''Add''' new custom service
[[Image:externlservices_settings.png|800px]]


== Enabling web service function documentation ==
[[Image:Security keys and documentation.jpg|thumb|Security keys page with documentation link]]
Enabling web service function documentation (also on the Manage protocols page) results in user-specific web service documentation being available for each user on their [[Security keys]] page. This option is mainly useful to web service client developers. If nobody is creating a web service client, there is no need to enable this feature.


===Add new custom service page===
== Creating a service ==
A service is a group of web service functions. You need to create first the service then add the function. When you create the service do not check "Authenticated users", we want all users (only the one with "moodle/webservice:createtoken" capability) to be able to use the web service. If you want you can select a required capability. Any user access a web service will be checked against it. It is just an additional and optional security layer for your own usage.
If none of the pre-build web services match your needs, you can create a custom service i.e. select which of the standard web service functions are available via that service.
  Enter a name, check enable
  Click on Save changes
[[Image:add_webservice.png|800px]]


===Add a function to the service ===
You can enable only the specific functions that you need to expose, so not compromising on security.
  Settings block > Site Administration > Plugins > Web services > External Services<br/>
[[Image:Create a service.jpg|thumb|Creating a service|left]]
  Click on the Functions link for the newly created service
# Access ''Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Web services > External services''
# Click Add new custom service
#* 'Authorised users only' - If enabled, you will need to select the authorised users manually. Otherwise all users with appropriate permissions are allowed
#* 'Required capability' - If enabled, any user accessing the web service will be checked against this selected capability. (This is just an additional optional security layer.)
# Enter a name and check Enabled
# Click the button 'Add service'


==Adding functions to the service==
[[Image:Select a web service function.jpg|thumb|Adding functions to the service]]Your service is currently empty and doesn't do anything. Web service functions need to be added. Your choice will be dictated by what you allow the external application to do. For this example, select 'Create group'.


===Service functions page===
# Click 'Add functions' link
  Select Add function operation, then select a function and Save changes
# Select 'create group' function and click the 'Add functions' button
[[Image:wsfunctionadmin.png|800px]]


[[Image:selectservicefunction.png|800px]]
You should be back to the service functions list. 'Required capabilities' are indicated for each function. Users need the required capabilities to run a function. The function descriptions in the API Documentation can also give you more information about the required capabilities (''Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Web services > API Documentation'').


==Enabling capabilities==


The final step is to grant appropriate permissions. The following capabilities should be allowed:


== Users visit web service page to get auto token==
* [[Capabilities/moodle/webservice:createtoken|moodle/webservice:createtoken]] - for allowing users to generate a security key
the users will go on their profil block and access their security keys. The first time a user access this page, his key is created.
* [[Capabilities/webservice/rest:use | webservice/rest:use]], [[Capabilities/webservice/soap:use | webservice/soap:use]], [[Capabilities/webservice/xmlrpc:use | webservice/xmlrpc:use]], [[Capabilities/webservice/amf:use | webservice/amf:use]] which match the enabled protocols.
* The service ''Required capability'' if set (''Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Web services > Manage services >'''Edit''' link'').
* The required capabilities for the web service functions. These required capabilities are listed when you add a function to the service. For more information about roles and capabilities, read the [[Manage roles]] documentation.


[[Category:Web Services]]
Once done, the web service should be set up. Users should be able to [[Security keys|obtain a personal security key]].
 
= Alternative settings =
 
== Authorise only specific users==
[[Image:Authorised users link.jpg|thumb]] [[Image:Authorised user selection page.jpg|thumb]]
# ''Settings > Site Administration > Plugins > Web services > External Services''
# Select '''Authorised users''' link (the service must have been set as '''Authorised users only''' in the '''Edit''' link)
# Select some users and click '''Add'''
 
Moodle indicates if some capabilities need to be assigned to an authorised user. Moreover if you click on the authorised user fullname, you can set up some specific options: ''IP restriction'' and ''Valid until''.
 
== Create a token  ==
[[Image:Create_token.jpg|thumb]]
This feature allows you to create a token for specific user. It can be useful if a user doesn't have the moodle/create:token capability. This is also the only way to create a token for an administrator. For security reason, tokens are not automatically generated in the administrator security  keys page.
 
# ''Settings > Site Administration > Plugins > Web services > Manage tokens''
# Click on '''Add'''
# Select the created user and service
# Click on '''Saves changes'''
 
As you created a token for this user, you do not need to assign "''moodle/webservice:createtoken''" to him/her.
Finally, note that, as for authorised users, you can also set ''IP restriction'' and ''Valid until'' on a token.
 
== See also ==
*[http://www.joomdle.com/wiki/Preparing_Moodle_20#Setting_up_Moodle_Web_services Joomdle documentation about setting Moodle web services]
 
[[de:Webservices nutzen]]

Latest revision as of 15:53, 13 June 2012

This document explains how an administrator can set up a web service for users to access a service. Each user will have a specific and unique security key (also known as a "token") to access the service.

Enabling web services

Enabling web services
  1. Access Settings > Site administration > Advanced features
  2. Check 'Enable web services' then click 'Save Changes'

Note: For security reasons, web services should only be enabled if you intend to make use of it.

Enabling protocols

Enabling protocols

Usually external applications that users wish to use dictate which protocols should be enabled.

  1. Access Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Web services > Manage protocols
  2. Enable the protocols (SOAP, REST, XMLRPC, AMF, ...) as required

Enabling web service function documentation

Security keys page with documentation link

Enabling web service function documentation (also on the Manage protocols page) results in user-specific web service documentation being available for each user on their Security keys page. This option is mainly useful to web service client developers. If nobody is creating a web service client, there is no need to enable this feature.

Creating a service

If none of the pre-build web services match your needs, you can create a custom service i.e. select which of the standard web service functions are available via that service.

You can enable only the specific functions that you need to expose, so not compromising on security.

Creating a service
  1. Access Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Web services > External services
  2. Click Add new custom service
    • 'Authorised users only' - If enabled, you will need to select the authorised users manually. Otherwise all users with appropriate permissions are allowed
    • 'Required capability' - If enabled, any user accessing the web service will be checked against this selected capability. (This is just an additional optional security layer.)
  3. Enter a name and check Enabled
  4. Click the button 'Add service'

Adding functions to the service

Adding functions to the service

Your service is currently empty and doesn't do anything. Web service functions need to be added. Your choice will be dictated by what you allow the external application to do. For this example, select 'Create group'.

  1. Click 'Add functions' link
  2. Select 'create group' function and click the 'Add functions' button

You should be back to the service functions list. 'Required capabilities' are indicated for each function. Users need the required capabilities to run a function. The function descriptions in the API Documentation can also give you more information about the required capabilities (Settings > Site administration > Plugins > Web services > API Documentation).

Enabling capabilities

The final step is to grant appropriate permissions. The following capabilities should be allowed:

Once done, the web service should be set up. Users should be able to obtain a personal security key.

Alternative settings

Authorise only specific users

Authorised users link.jpg
Authorised user selection page.jpg
  1. Settings > Site Administration > Plugins > Web services > External Services
  2. Select Authorised users link (the service must have been set as Authorised users only in the Edit link)
  3. Select some users and click Add

Moodle indicates if some capabilities need to be assigned to an authorised user. Moreover if you click on the authorised user fullname, you can set up some specific options: IP restriction and Valid until.

Create a token

Create token.jpg

This feature allows you to create a token for specific user. It can be useful if a user doesn't have the moodle/create:token capability. This is also the only way to create a token for an administrator. For security reason, tokens are not automatically generated in the administrator security keys page.

  1. Settings > Site Administration > Plugins > Web services > Manage tokens
  2. Click on Add
  3. Select the created user and service
  4. Click on Saves changes

As you created a token for this user, you do not need to assign "moodle/webservice:createtoken" to him/her. Finally, note that, as for authorised users, you can also set IP restriction and Valid until on a token.

See also