# Create a SAML authentication method element

Create a SAML authentication method element to define all configurations to perform SAML-based authentication.

## Before you begin

1. A SAML Identity provider is configured. Please contact your SAML IdP support team for details.
2. The identity provider metadata URL or details are available.

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## Steps

1. Select User Authentication.
2. Right-click Authentication Method and select New Authentication Method.
3. Enter a unique name for the authentication method element in the Name field.
4. From the Type drop-down list, select SAML.
   Note: The fields below the Type drop-down list change as per the options selected from the Type drop-down list.
5. Configure the Identity Provider Metadata to establish trusted and secure communication with the IdP:
   1. Click the Configure button.
   2. From the Import from dropdown list, select one of the following options:
      Note: The fields below the Import from drop-down list change as per the options selected from the Type drop-down list
      1. URL
      2. IdP Metadata
   3. If the URL option is selected:
      1. In the URL field, enter the URL from where the IdP metadata details can be fetched.
      2. Click the Check Connectivity button to check if the URL works.
      3. Click the OK button.
   4. If the IdP Metadata option is selected, do one of the following:
      - Click the Import button:
        1. Click the Browse button.
        2. Navigate to the location where the metadata file is stored.
        3. Select the file and then click the Open button.
           Note: Only the xml file format is supported.
        4. Click the OK button.
      - In the text field:
        1. Paste the IdP metadata details.
        2. Click the OK button.
6. Enter group attribute names to look for in SAML response:
   - Click Add to add a group attribute name to the list.
   - Click Remove to remove the selected group attribute name from the list.
7. Select the TLS profile to use to sign in SAML requests, and decrypt SAML responses. Click the Select button to select the element.
8. Optionally, add a comment in the Comment field for your future reference.
9. Click OK to save the changes.