SAMLdescription

I have a limited understanding of OAuth, it goes something like:

    - client sends request token during redirect to server
    - Server displays authorization screen to resource owner
    - Resource owner provides uid and pw (not passed to client)
    - Server sends access token back to client
    - clients then users the Access token to gain access to a 
      resource

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I need to understand the basic architecture of SAML.  Could someone please provide a brief explanation of the architecture and perhaps a link to an easy to understand doc

Thanks