Okta Advanced Server Access

Basic Information

Okta Advanced Server Access (ASA) is a cloud-based solution designed to provide secure, identity-first access management for Linux and Windows servers. It extends Okta's core identity capabilities to infrastructure environments, focusing on Zero Trust principles.

• Model: Okta Advanced Server Access (ASA)
• Version: Components include client, server agent, and gateway, with continuous updates. Latest stable versions are frequently released. For instance, client, server agent, and gateway versions 1.97.1 were deployed on September 18, 2025.
• Release Date: Initially announced and available on April 2, 2019.
• Minimum Requirements:
  • Server Agent: Minimal system requirements; primarily needs a supported operating system and available storage for logs.
  • Gateway: For 120 concurrent SSH sessions, an AWS t2.medium instance (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) is sufficient.
• Supported Operating Systems:
  • Client: Amazon Linux 2, 2022 (x86), 2023; Alma Linux 8-9; CentOS Stream 8-9; Debian 11-12; macOS 13, 14, 15; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8-9; SuSE Linux 15; Ubuntu 16.04, 18.04, 20.04 (x86, ARM), 22.04 (x86, ARM), 24.04; Windows Server 2016, 2019, 2022, 2025; Windows 10 (21H2, 22H2); Windows 11 (21H2, 22H2, 23H2, 24H2).
  • Server Agent: Alma Linux 8-9; Amazon Linux 2 (x86, ARM), 2022 (x86), 2023; CentOS Stream 8-9; Debian 11-12; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8-9; SuSE Linux 15; Ubuntu 16.04, 18.04, 20.04 (x86, ARM), 22.04 (x86, ARM), 24.04; Windows Server 2016 (except Nano Server), 2019, 2022, 2025.
  • Gateway: Amazon Linux 2, 2022 (x86), 2023; Alma Linux 8-9; CentOS Stream 8-9; Debian 11-12; Red Hat Enterprise Linux 8-9; Ubuntu 16.04, 18.04, 20.04 (x86, ARM), 22.04 (x86, ARM), 24.04.
• Latest Stable Version: As of September 18, 2025, client, server agent, and gateway version 1.97.1.
• End of Support Date: Okta provides "Actively Supported" and "End of Life" dates for specific operating systems, which dictate when improvements and security fixes cease for those platforms. For example, support for Windows 2012, Windows 2012 R2, CentOS 7, and CentOS 8 will be removed in July 2024. FreeBSD support for client, server agent, and gateway ceased May 1, 2024. macOS 10 and 11 support for the client also ceased May 1, 2024.
• End of Life Date: Tied to the End of Life dates of supported operating systems.
• Auto-update Expiration Date: Okta Advanced Server Access components receive continuous updates. While Okta Verify has a staggered rollout schedule for automatic updates, ASA components are designed for ongoing updates rather than having a fixed expiration date for auto-updates.
• License Type: Commercial software license from Okta. Some components may incorporate third-party open-source libraries under licenses like MIT or Apache 2.0.
• Deployment Model: Cloud-managed service with agents deployed on customer's on-premises or cloud infrastructure (hybrid and multi-cloud environments).

Technical Requirements

Okta Advanced Server Access components have varying technical requirements, generally designed to be lightweight for agents while gateways scale with workload.

• RAM:
  • Server Agent: Minimal, sufficient for the supported OS and logging.
  • Gateway: 4 GB RAM for up to 120 concurrent SSH sessions.
• Processor:
  • Server Agent: Minimal, sufficient for the supported OS.
  • Gateway: 2 vCPU for up to 120 concurrent SSH sessions.
• Storage:
  • Server Agent: Sufficient available storage for logs.
  • Gateway: SSDs are recommended, especially when session capture is enabled, to handle binary log files. Storage needs depend on user workload and session capture volume.
• Display: Not a primary technical requirement for server agents or gateways. The client operates via command-line interface (CLI) and graphical user interface (GUI) on supported desktop operating systems.
• Ports:
  • Client: Outgoing SSH (22), outgoing connections to Okta/ASA platform (443), incoming from ASA client (7234).
  • Server Agent: Incoming SSH (22), outgoing connections to Okta/ASA platform (443), local RDP loopbacks (3389).
  • Gateway: Outgoing connections to Okta/ASA platform (443), incoming from ASA client (7234), outgoing for AD-Joined (3389), DNS resolution (53), AD queries (389).
• Operating System: Extensive support for various Linux distributions (e.g., RHEL, Ubuntu, Debian, Alma Linux, Amazon Linux, SuSE), macOS, and Windows client/server operating systems.

Analysis of Technical Requirements

The technical requirements for Okta Advanced Server Access are generally flexible, with the server agent designed to run on minimal resources, provided the underlying OS is supported. The primary resource consideration shifts to the gateway component, which requires adequate CPU and RAM to handle concurrent SSH and RDP sessions effectively. Storage is crucial for logging, particularly with session capture, where SSDs are recommended for performance and reliability. Network port configuration is essential for proper communication between all components and the Okta platform. The broad operating system support ensures compatibility across diverse enterprise environments.

Support & Compatibility

Okta Advanced Server Access offers broad compatibility and continuous support for its components across various platforms.

• Latest Version: Client, server agent, and gateway are actively developed, with recent versions like 1.97.1 deployed in September 2025.
• OS Support: Comprehensive support for major Linux distributions (e.g., RHEL, Ubuntu, Debian, Alma Linux, Amazon Linux, SuSE), macOS (recent versions), and Windows client and server operating systems.
• End of Support Date: Okta publishes "Actively Supported" and "End of Life" dates for specific operating systems. For example, support for Windows 2012/R2 and CentOS 7/8 is being removed in July 2024. FreeBSD and older macOS versions (10, 11) for the client are no longer supported as of May 2024.
• Localization: Specific localization details are not explicitly provided in publicly available documentation.
• Available Drivers: Not applicable in the traditional sense; the asset relies on its client and server agents for functionality, which are software packages rather than hardware drivers.

Analysis of Overall Support & Compatibility Status

Okta Advanced Server Access demonstrates strong support and compatibility across a wide range of operating systems, crucial for enterprise environments. Okta actively maintains and updates its client, server agent, and gateway components, with frequent releases addressing enhancements and fixes. The clear communication of End of Life dates for specific OS versions allows organizations to plan upgrades and maintain a secure and supported environment. The product's architecture, relying on agents rather than traditional drivers, simplifies deployment and management across diverse infrastructure. The absence of explicit localization information suggests that the primary interface and documentation are in English, which is common for enterprise technical solutions.

Security Status

Okta Advanced Server Access is built on a Zero Trust security model, emphasizing strong authentication and authorization for server access.

• Security Features:
  • Zero Trust Architecture: Assumes no implicit trust, requiring continuous verification.
  • Ephemeral Credentials: Uses short-lived, single-use client certificates for each login, eliminating static credentials.
  • Client Certificate-Backed: Access is granted based on client certificates issued by the ASA platform.
  • Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA): Integrates with Okta MFA for enhanced user verification.
  • Contextual Access Controls: Authorizes access based on dynamic user, device, and environmental conditions.
  • Role-Based Access Control (RBAC): Defines user permissions based on group memberships and project assignments.
  • Session Capture: Supports recording SSH sessions for auditing and compliance.
  • Audit Logs: Provides detailed login and session audit logs, viewable via dashboard or API, for compliance and SIEM integration.
  • Automated Account Lifecycle Management: Manages local user accounts on servers, removing them if a user is deactivated in Okta.
• Known Vulnerabilities: Okta Advanced Server Access Client versions 1.13.1 through 1.65.0 were vulnerable to command injection (CVE-2023-0093) due to a third-party library. This was addressed in later versions.
• Blacklist Status: Not applicable; Okta Advanced Server Access is a security solution, not a component that would be blacklisted.
• Certifications: While specific product certifications are not detailed, Okta emphasizes its ability to help meet tough compliance requirements through its audit capabilities and identity-led access.
• Encryption Support: Requires TLS 1.2 or later for communication. The RDP engine supports legacy cryptographic algorithms (MD4, MD5, RC4) for RDP licensing purposes.
• Authentication Methods: Leverages Okta SAML authentication for user login to the ASA dashboard and for issuing client JWTs.
• General Recommendations: Regularly update client and server agent components to mitigate known vulnerabilities. Ensure supported operating systems are used and upgraded before their End of Life dates. Monitor gateway storage, especially with session capture enabled, to prevent security-related connection blocks.

Analysis on the Overall Security Rating

Okta Advanced Server Access provides a robust security posture, fundamentally built on a Zero Trust model that significantly reduces the attack surface by eliminating static credentials and enforcing dynamic, contextual access controls. The use of ephemeral, client certificate-backed credentials is a key strength. Integration with Okta's identity platform enables strong MFA and centralized user lifecycle management, enhancing overall security. The comprehensive audit logging and session capture features are critical for compliance and incident response. While a past command injection vulnerability (CVE-2023-0093) in older client versions highlights the importance of timely updates, Okta's continuous release cycle and security advisories demonstrate a commitment to addressing such issues. Overall, ASA offers a high level of security for server access, provided organizations adhere to best practices for updates and configuration.

Performance & Benchmarks

Performance for Okta Advanced Server Access is primarily characterized by its ability to scale access to numerous servers and handle concurrent user sessions efficiently.

• Benchmark Scores:
  • Gateway Capacity: A single gateway running on an Amazon Web Services (AWS) t2.medium instance (2 vCPU, 4 GB RAM) can effectively handle 120 concurrent SSH sessions.
• Real-world Performance Metrics:
  • CPU Utilization (Gateway): Approximately 40% average CPU utilization, with spikes up to 50%, when handling 120 concurrent SSH sessions on a t2.medium instance.
  • Memory Utilization (Gateway): Less than 7% of available memory used during the same workload.
  • Session Capture Storage: A 30-minute interactive SSH session, including directory listings every 5 seconds, generates about 150 kilobytes of binary log data. File copies via SCP during a session are also included.
• Power Consumption: Not explicitly detailed in publicly available documentation, as it depends heavily on the underlying infrastructure (cloud instances or on-premises hardware) where the components are deployed.
• Carbon Footprint: Not explicitly detailed in publicly available documentation; depends on the deployment infrastructure and energy efficiency of the chosen cloud provider or data center.
• Comparison with Similar Assets: Publicly available documentation does not provide direct comparative benchmarks against similar products. Okta emphasizes its unique Zero Trust, identity-centric approach over traditional methods.

Analysis of the Overall Performance Status

Okta Advanced Server Access demonstrates scalable performance, particularly for its gateway component, which is critical for managing concurrent SSH and RDP connections. The provided benchmark for the gateway indicates efficient resource utilization, with a modest AWS instance capable of supporting a significant number of simultaneous sessions. This suggests that the solution can scale effectively by deploying additional gateways as workload demands increase. The minimal resource requirements for the server agent further contribute to its broad applicability across diverse server environments. While specific power consumption and carbon footprint metrics are not provided, these factors are largely dictated by the customer's chosen deployment infrastructure. The focus on an identity-first, API-driven approach also implies performance benefits in automation and centralized management at scale.

User Reviews & Feedback

User feedback on Okta Advanced Server Access highlights its effectiveness in modernizing server access management and integrating it with existing identity infrastructure.

• Strengths:
  • Zero Trust Implementation: Praised for its robust Zero Trust security model, eliminating static credentials and enhancing security posture.
  • Centralized Access Control: Provides a unified directory for managing server users, groups, and policies at scale across hybrid and multi-cloud environments.
  • Automation and API-First Approach: Facilitates automation of access controls and integration with DevOps tools, scaling management across thousands of servers.
  • Compliance and Auditing: Simplifies compliance by providing detailed audit logs and reconciling role-based access controls.
  • Seamless SSO for SSH/RDP: Extends Single Sign-On capabilities to Linux and Windows servers via SSH and RDP.
  • Ephemeral Credentials: The use of short-lived, single-use credentials is a significant security advantage.
• Weaknesses:
  • Specific weaknesses are not prominently detailed in the provided public snippets. However, the mention of a past CVE (CVE-2023-0093) implies that vigilance in applying updates is necessary.
  • The transition from older operating systems might require planning and effort for some organizations due to end-of-support dates.
• Recommended Use Cases:
  • Securing access to Linux and Windows servers in cloud and on-premises environments.
  • Implementing Zero Trust principles for infrastructure access.
  • Streamlining DevOps workflows with automated, identity-driven access controls.
  • Meeting stringent compliance requirements for server access.
  • Managing access for large-scale server deployments (e.g., 100,000+ servers).

Summary

Okta Advanced Server Access (ASA) is a comprehensive, cloud-managed solution that redefines server access management through a Zero Trust security model. Its core strength lies in replacing static credentials with ephemeral, client certificate-backed access, significantly mitigating risks associated with credential theft and misuse. ASA seamlessly integrates with the Okta Identity Cloud, providing a unified directory for managing users, groups, and policies across diverse Linux and Windows server environments, whether on-premises or in multi-cloud deployments.

Key strengths include its robust security features like Multi-Factor Authentication, contextual access controls, and detailed audit logging, which are crucial for compliance and operational visibility. The API-first approach enables extensive automation, allowing organizations to scale access controls and integrate with DevOps tools efficiently. Compatibility is broad, supporting a wide array of operating systems for its client, server agent, and gateway components, with continuous updates ensuring ongoing functionality and security.

While the solution offers strong performance, particularly with its gateway component demonstrating efficient handling of concurrent sessions, specific power consumption or direct comparative benchmarks are not widely publicized. A past command injection vulnerability (CVE-2023-0093) in older client versions underscores the importance of maintaining up-to-date software. Organizations must also be mindful of the announced End of Life dates for specific operating systems to ensure continued support and security.

Overall, Okta Advanced Server Access is an excellent choice for enterprises seeking to modernize their server access strategy, enforce Zero Trust principles, and achieve greater automation and compliance in their infrastructure management. It is particularly well-suited for environments with dynamic server fleets and a need for granular, identity-driven access controls.

The information provided is based on publicly available data and may vary depending on specific device configurations. For up-to-date information, please consult official manufacturer resources.