To enable programmatic use of data as if "attached" to a given session, an administrator can configure the server to let users obtain a
Session Key (or token) once they have logged in via the web UI. This key can be used to authorize client code accessing LabKey Server using one of the LabKey Client APIs. Using any API key avoids copying and storing your credentials on the client machine.
As an application example, regulatory compliance may impose stringent data access requirements, such as having the user declare their intended use of the data, provide their IRB number and necessary PHI level, and sign associated terms of use documents every time they log in. This information is logged with each access of the data for later review or audit.
When using a session key, access is tied to a given user's current browser session and runs under the current context (e.g., your user, your authorizations and if applicable, your declared terms of use and PHI level, your current impersonation state, etc.) then expires at the end of the session, whether by timeout or explicit logout.
Enable Session Keys
- Select (Admin) > Site > Admin Console.
- Under Configuration, click Site Settings.
- Under Configure API Keys, check Let users create session keys.
Obtain and Use a Session Key
Once enabled, the user can log in, providing all the necessary compliance information, then retrieve their unique session key from the
username > External Tool Access menu:
Click
Generate Session Key. The session key is a long, randomly generated token, beginning with the prefix "session|" that is valid for only this single browser session. Click
Copy to Clipboard to grab it (the button will read "Copied!" when copied). Then click
Done.
You can then paste this key into a script, tying that code's authorization to the browser session where the key was generated. The session key can also be used in a .netrc file or via an external client that supports Basic authentication, as shown in
API Keys. When using a session key within a netrc file, you use the login "apikey." When using a session key, the code's actions and access will be logged with your user information and assertions you made at login time.
Example: netrc File
To avoid embedding credentials into your code, you can use a session key as a password within a
.netrc/_netrc file. When doing so, the username is "apikey" and the password is the entire session key including the prefix.
machine localhost
login apikey
password session|the_rest_of_the_long_session_key_copied
Example: R
For example, if you were accessing data via R, the following shows the usage:
library(Rlabkey)
labkey.setDefaults(apiKey="session|the_rest of the_long_string_session_id")
labkey.setDefaults(baseUrl="your_base_url_address")
You will then be able to access the data from R until the session associated with that key is terminated, whether via timeout or log out.
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