September 10, 2025
Jitsi Meet: Enabling Authentication and Server Optimization
In the previous article, we deployed a basic Jitsi Meet server using Docker.
Now let’s look at how to secure your server, enable authentication, and optimize performance for stable video calls.
Authentication: Invite-Only Access
By default, Jitsi Meet allows anyone to create rooms. To restrict access — enable Secure Domain.
- Open the
.env
file and find the Prosody (XMPP server) section.ENABLE_AUTH=1
AUTH_TYPE=internal
Here, internal
means that users will be stored locally.
September 1, 2025
AWS Cognito and Microsoft Entra ID: Authentication as Part of the Ecosystem
Introduction
If Auth0 is the “hired expert” for authentication, then AWS Cognito and Microsoft Entra ID are the “system engineers” from tech giants. These services don’t just solve login — they are deeply integrated into their ecosystems and work best when you’re already using the cloud that created them.
AWS Cognito: Authentication for AWS-Native Applications
The Big Promise: AWS claims that Cognito is the “gateway” for your users into AWS. It’s designed to seamlessly integrate with other AWS services, such as Lambda for business logic or API Gateway for building APIs.
August 31, 2025
Auth0: Authentication as a Service, or “Just Pay”
Introduction
So far, we’ve discussed solutions that give you full control but demand effort. Auth0 offers a different path: outsourcing authentication entirely. “We’ll handle it for you,” says Auth0 — “just connect to our API.” It’s the perfect choice for those who don’t want to moonlight as DevOps engineers.
The Big Promise
The core message of Auth0 is simplicity. The service promises that you can add user login in minutes without writing a single line of backend code. Its key advantages:
August 30, 2025
FreeIPA: The Untamed Titan of Enterprise Identity
Introduction
While Keycloak and FusionAuth focus on the web, FreeIPA operates on a different level. It’s not just an authentication server. It’s an integrated solution for identity management and security policies in UNIX/Linux environments. It’s not designed for quick web app integration but for building centralized access control at an enterprise scale. If your infrastructure consists of many Linux servers, this tool is your ally.
August 29, 2025
FusionAuth: Challenging the Giants with an API Focus
Introduction
While Keycloak may feel like a heavyweight titan built for the enterprise world, FusionAuth enters the arena with a much more developer-friendly agenda. This service positions itself as a solution built by developers for developers. It promises to be simple, fast, and most importantly, manageable through a clean, well-structured API. Sounds like a relief after wrestling with complex documentation.
The Big Promise
The core message of FusionAuth is “less configuration, more code.” It promises to save you from wrestling with dozens of XML files and bulky UIs. Instead, you should be able to integrate authentication in just a few hours using only API calls. Its arsenal includes:
August 28, 2025
Keycloak: Open Source and Big Ambitions
Introduction
In a world where more and more services outsource user management, Keycloak offers a different path. This project is not just a set of login APIs. It is a full-fledged, self-sufficient authentication server that promises to relieve you from headaches with user management, protocols, and security. At the same time, it remains open source. Sounds like utopia, but let’s take a closer look.
August 27, 2025
The Problem with Certificates at Scale
In previous articles, we discussed that OpenVPN uses certificates for authentication. This method is reliable but has significant drawbacks:
- Inconvenience for users: Each user must manually receive and install their own certificate.
- Complex management: When an employee leaves, their certificate must be revoked, which requires extra steps.
- Lack of centralization: Each service that requires access has its own authorization system.
The solution to this problem is using a centralized identity provider such as Keycloak.
July 25, 2025
n8n + Appwrite: An Open-Source Firebase Alternative for Self-Hosting
We’ve already explored Supabase and Firebase — now it’s time to look at Appwrite, a powerful and fully open-source BaaS platform designed for self-hosting and complete data control.
If you want to build a backend on your own infrastructure, Appwrite can be the perfect partner in combination with n8n.
What Is Appwrite?
Appwrite is a full-featured Backend as a Service (BaaS) platform with open-source code. It provides REST APIs for most features a modern application needs:
July 24, 2025
n8n + Firebase: NoSQL, Realtime Database, and Cloud Functions for Dynamic Apps
After reviewing Supabase and its PostgreSQL-based architecture, let’s turn to another powerful BaaS platform — Firebase by Google. Firebase takes a completely different approach: NoSQL, real-time data sync, and deep integration with the Google Cloud ecosystem.
If your app needs real-time updates, schema flexibility, and strong mobile support, the Firebase + n8n combo might become your key automation tool.
July 23, 2025
n8n + Supabase: PostgreSQL, Authentication, and API All in One
We continue our series on n8n’s integration with backend services. Today’s focus is Supabase — a popular open-source Firebase alternative built on PostgreSQL. Supabase delivers everything a modern backend needs — DB, authentication, API, realtime — and integrates seamlessly with n8n.
What Is Supabase?
Supabase is a BaaS (Backend-as-a-Service) that brands itself as an “open-source Firebase alternative,” powered by PostgreSQL. It offers: