SAML is defined in terms of assertions, protocols, bindings, and profiles.

Mappings from SAML request-response message exchanges into standard messaging or communication protocols are called SAML protocol bindings.

The SAML SOAP Binding, for instance, defines how SAML protocol messages can be communicated within SOAP messages, whilst the HTTP Redirect binding defines how to pass protocol messages through HTTP redirection.

- SAML Executive Overview
- SAML Technical Overview

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