# Archetype Designer connecting to Ontoserver with login via Azure Active Directory?

**Category:** [Archetype Designer](https://discourse.openehr.org/c/archetype-designer/30)
**Created:** 2023-06-13 07:53 UTC
**Views:** 698
**Replies:** 9
**URL:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/archetype-designer-connecting-to-ontoserver-with-login-via-azure-active-directory/4109

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## Post #1 by @Paulmiller

Hi all

I am trying to configure Archetype Designer to use NHS Scotland's Ontoserver.

I can set this up using the settings:

![image|690x388](upload://lxto5oOBwtwwOGIXM9NwgUtCxyE.png)

but access is limited, e.g. you cannot see SNOMED CT code system, which is not a great help.

To access the full production server via the web I  log into the server using my AAD login, but there is no way to pass or enter this login in Archetype Designer to let me access the full resources.

I suspect this is not a fixable problem right now, which in turn is something of a blocker for me doing useful work.

Unless any of you know different?

Thanks

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## Post #2 by @ian.mcnicoll

Just add a /

https://ontology.scot.nhs.uk/production1/fhir/

![image|506x500](upload://naCxRiDHyXGqARSaSzBKzhrCVOH.png)

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## Post #3 by @Paulmiller

Thanks Ian, I don't think this fixes it.

Talking to the Ontoserver people it seems there is an authentication layer implemented to secure access to SNOMED content. This is maybe a design decision, to comply with the license, but equally may not be needed. I will explore further.

Otherwise Archetype Designer does not have a way to enter authentication credentials for the terminology server.

So, am a bit stuck right now :frowning:

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## Post #4 by @ian.mcnicoll

Yes - I've come across this before . I'll raise it with @borut.fabjan

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## Post #5 by @ian.mcnicoll

I have raised a CR re Archetype Designer but I suspect it might be quite tricky to support the more complex forms of authentication and it would be much better if auth was not needed for read-only access.

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## Post #6 by @Paulmiller

Yes, I agree. I will make that suggestion when I raise a support ticket with out Ontoserver team.

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## Post #7 by @borut.fabjan

It's a bit of a design decision. 
For a SaaS service, you probably don't want users to store 3rd party service credentials within AD ;)

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## Post #8 by @Marcvanaalten

@Paulmiller I want to connect to the Dutch National Terminology Server. It is a Ontoserver instance that contains all the terminologies, ValueSets and CodeSystems. But I can’t find this configuration screen. Is it still possible in the Archetype Designer?

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## Post #9 by @ian.mcnicoll

![CleanShot 2025-08-06 at 15.55.33|550x490](upload://eYMctem0GNWIvUJPls4LxFJj0Fx.png)

Click on the Account icon Top-left then Settings. You may have issues connecting if Ontoserver instance is not open, as AD does not allow aith credntials to be passed through.

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## Post #10 by @Paulmiller

We arranged to set up a “secret” proxy server for use by known users only to allow AD to access the Ontoserver SNOMED content. This works ok, though I have not had much opportunity to use it for practical purposes as yet

Paul

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**Canonical:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/archetype-designer-connecting-to-ontoserver-with-login-via-azure-active-directory/4109
**Original content:** https://discourse.openehr.org/t/archetype-designer-connecting-to-ontoserver-with-login-via-azure-active-directory/4109