Navigating Multiple Domains: Google's Internal OAuth Consent Screen and the Power of Delegation
Problem: You're building an application that needs access to Google APIs for various services, but your company uses multiple domains. Managing multiple OAuth consent screens for each domain is a tedious and error-prone process.
Rephrased: Imagine you have several offices, each with its own website address. You want your employees to be able to access a central app that uses Google services, but each office requires its own approval process. This can be a headache!
Solution: Google's Internal OAuth Consent Screen with Delegation offers a streamlined approach to manage these situations.
The Scenario:
Imagine a company with two domains: companyA.com and companyB.com. Both domains need access to Google Drive for file sharing, but managing separate OAuth consent screens for each domain feels cumbersome.
Original Code (Simplified):
// For companyA.com:
const clientA = new GoogleAuth({
clientId: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID_A',
clientSecret: 'YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET_A',
redirectUri: 'https://companyA.com/callback'
});
// For companyB.com:
const clientB = new GoogleAuth({
clientId: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID_B',
clientSecret: 'YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET_B',
redirectUri: 'https://companyB.com/callback'
});
The Power of Delegation:
Instead of creating separate consent screens, you can delegate consent management to a single, central domain. In our example, companyA.com can act as the delegate for both domains. This eliminates the need for individual consent screens and simplifies the OAuth flow.
How it Works:
- Create a single Internal OAuth Consent Screen on the delegate domain (
companyA.com). This screen outlines the permissions your application needs (e.g., access to Google Drive). - Configure Delegation: Within the Google Cloud Console, associate the delegate domain (
companyA.com) with the other domains (companyB.com). - Use a single set of credentials: Now, both domains can use the same OAuth client ID and secret, simplifying your application's code.
Code Example (Simplified):
// Using delegated consent:
const client = new GoogleAuth({
clientId: 'YOUR_CLIENT_ID_A', // Single client ID for both domains
clientSecret: 'YOUR_CLIENT_SECRET_A',
redirectUri: 'https://companyA.com/callback'
});
Benefits:
- Streamlined management: No need to create separate consent screens for each domain.
- Centralized control: Easier to update permissions and manage user consent.
- Simplified code: Use a single set of client credentials for all domains.
- Enhanced security: Delegation can help prevent unauthorized access by restricting access to the delegate domain.
Important Notes:
- Delegate domain must be trusted: Users accessing the application from other domains will be redirected to the delegate domain's consent screen.
- Permissions: Ensure the delegate domain has the necessary permissions to manage consent for the other domains.
Additional Value:
By using Google's Internal OAuth Consent Screen with Delegation, you can streamline your application's development and improve user experience, ensuring seamless access to Google services across multiple domains.
References:
Conclusion:
Mastering the art of managing multiple domains within Google's OAuth framework is essential for applications interacting with Google APIs. Delegation offers a powerful solution, enabling streamlined consent management and simplified code, ultimately improving your application's efficiency and security.
