Set Up Nginx Authentication

Each Nginx record identifies Unix Configuration information and target hosts (IPs).

Which technologies are supported?

For the most current list of supported authentication technologies and the versions that have been certified for VM and PA by record type, please refer to the following article:

Authentication Technologies Matrix

Help me with the record settings

How do I get started?How do I get started?

- Go to Scans > Authentication.

- Check that you already have a Unix record defined for each host running database instances.

- Create an Nginx record for the application instance. Go to New > Applications > Nginx.

Note: If the Network Support feature is enabled, then the Unix record must have the same network selected as the Nginx record.

Tell me about Unix ParametersTell me about Unix Parameters

Enter the Base path and Configuration file path of Nginx on your Unix hosts. The configuration file must be in the same location for all hosts (IPs) in this record. If different, create another record.

The Prefix Path is an optional parameter.

Which IPs should I add to my record?Which IPs should I add to my record?

Select the IP addresses for the Nginx servers that the scanning engine should log into.

Do you have Tag Support enabled?Do you have Tag Support enabled?

If your subscription has Tag Support for Authentication Records enabled, then you'll see additional options for specifying hosts using asset tags. Choose an asset type and then provide IPs or tags to the record. Your asset type options are: IPs/Ranges, IP Range in Tag Rule and Asset Tags.

For domain level authentication, you can only add assets when the domain type is NetBIOS, User-Selected IPs. The Assets section is disabled when the domain type is NetBIOS, Service-Selected IPs, or Active Directory.

Asset Type: IPs/Ranges
Use this option to add IP addresses/ranges to the record. Enter the IP addresses/ranges in the field provided.

Asset Type: IP Range in Tag Rule
Use this option to add tags that have IP address ranges defined in the tag rule. All IP addresses defined in the tag rule will be associated with the record, including IPs that don’t already have the tag assigned. Click Add Tag to pick tags to include or exclude. Note that only tags with the dynamic tag rule “IP Address in Range(s)” will be available in the tag selector.

Asset Type: Asset Tags
Use this option to add tags to the record for the assets you want included. IP addresses with the selected tags already assigned will be associated with the record. Click Add Tag to pick tags to include or exclude.

Learn more about tag support for authentication records

Quick Links

Why use host authentication

Last updated: May, 2026