Managing Logins with Azure Active Directory How to Move SonarQube Logins from GitLab to Azure Using SAML SSO

Managing multiple logins for development tools like SonarQube and GitLab can be cumbersome. This blog series addresses a critical need – seamlessly migrating your SonarQube login from GitLab to Azure Active Directory (Azure AD) using Single Sign-On (SSO) with SAML, all while preserving existing user access and avoiding duplicate accounts.

Whether you're a SonarQube administrator or a developer seeking a smoother login experience, this blog will equip you with the knowledge you need if you have the same problem.

1. Understand the Error

The error message "user is already using GitLab as a sign-in method" indicates a conflict between the existing GitLab authentication and the desired Azure SAML configuration. It's essential to determine if the user has SSO (Single Sign-On) enabled for both GitLab and Azure.

2. Solution Based on SSO Status

If SSO is enabled for both GitLab and Azure:

• Disable GitLab SSO: SonarQube doesn't directly support switching SSO providers. You need to disable GitLab SSO first. This might require administrative access to your GitLab instance.

• Update SonarQube User Settings: After disabling GitLab SSO, the user needs to update their SonarQube profile to remove the associated GitLab account. This allows them to link with Azure SAML.

1. Connect to the Database Server: Use an SQL Server client tool to connect to your SQL Server database. Standard tools include SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) for Windows or Azure Data Studio, among others.

2. Provide Connection Information: Open the SQL Server client tool and provide the necessary connection information, including the server name, authentication method, username, and password.

3. Connect to the Database: Connect to the specific database where your 'users' table is located. You may need to select the appropriate database from the list.

4. Open Query Editor: Once connected to the database, open the query editor in your SQL Server client tool. This is where you can write and execute SQL queries.

5. Write and Execute the SQL Query

   • Copy and paste the SQL query provided earlier into the query editor.

     -- Assuming your table is named 'users'
     
     UPDATE users
     SET
         external_login = CASE 
                             WHEN external_identity_provider = 'gitlab' AND login = 'john.doe' THEN email
                             ELSE external_login
                         END,
         external_id = CASE 
                             WHEN external_identity_provider = 'gitlab' AND login = 'john.doe' THEN email
                             ELSE external_id
                         END,
         external_identity_provider = 'saml'
     WHERE
         external_identity_provider = 'gitlab' AND login = 'john.doe';
     

6. Execute the Query: Execute the query using the SQL Server client tool. This will send the UPDATE statement to the database.

7. Review Results: Review the results or any error messages generated by the query execution to ensure the update succeeded. Remember to replace 'YourTableName' with your table's actual name ('users' in your case). Also, ensure you have the necessary permissions to update the 'users' table.

8. Configure Azure SAML: Follow SonarQube's official documentation for setting up Azure SAML authentication: How to set up Azure AD

3. Additional Tips

• Backup: Before making any changes, back up your SonarQube configuration and user data to prevent potential data loss.

• Consult Documentation: Refer to SonarQube's official documentation for detailed instructions and troubleshooting.

• Seek Help: If you encounter further issues, explore SonarQube community forums or support for assistance.

Platforms like SonarQube are useful for inspecting and reviewing code quality and ensuring that developers can quickly find and remove bugs that impact code performance. 

Learn more about improving performance for your website performance in our blog: Key Optimizations for Improving Site Performance.