Authentication tokens allow secure, programmatic access to EarthRanger for API communications and third-party integrations. This guide walks you through the process of creating and using an authentication token tied to a service account.

Before You Begin
You’ll need a configured Service Account.
See: Creating and Managing Service Accounts

Step 1: Create an Authentication Token
 

1. Access the DAS Access Tokens Page
   1. Log in to the Earthranger Admin page.
   2. Navigate to DAS Configuration > DAS Access Tokens.
2. Add a New Access Token
   1. Click Add Access Token in the top-right corner.
3. Generate the Token
   1. Enter a random 40-character alphanumeric string as the token. This means using only letters (A-Z, a-z) and numbers (0-9), avoiding special characters like @, #, or %.
      1. You can:
         1. Use an online randomizer tool, such as Random String Generator. Ensure the output is restricted to letters and numbers.
         2. Manually modify an existing token to create randomness by replacing several characters with new alphanumeric values.
4. Set Expiration Date and Time 
   1. Select a Date for when the Authentication token will expire (e.g.2049-01-01)
   2. Or choose a date from the calendar.
   3. Select Now in the time slot.
5. Set Scope details 
   1. Type “read write” in the Scope field. 
6. Select the User for the Token
   1. Click the search icon next to User.
   2. Search for the relevant service account (e.g., "Integration Service Account").
   3. Select the service account.
7. Set Token Application
   1. Select the application associated with this token. If the application does not exist, contact a support team member that can help you create the DAS Application. 
8. Once the information is complete, click Save. 

Step 2: Use and Secure the Token

Once the authentication token is created:

1. Deliver the Token Securely
   1. Provide the token to the relevant application or integration (e.g., Gundi, API access).
   2. Ensure the token is stored securely to prevent unauthorized access.
2. Integrate the Token
   1. Use the token in the API or integration configuration as required.
   2. Refer to the integration's documentation for specific implementation details.

If you need help managing other user types, check out Managing Users in EarthRanger Admin. 

Next in this series: Exporting and Preparing EarthRanger Data