How to initiate a Certificate Signing Request for Apache ERS 2.4 or earlier ?
To generate a CSR, you first need to create a key pair for your server. The CSR and Key Pair files can't be separated.If you lose your public/private key file or your password and generate a new one, your SSL Certificate will no longer match your private key. You will have to request a new SSL Certificate and may be charged.
We recommend that you contact Covalent for additional information.
Step 1: Generate a Private Key and Server Certificate
1. Change to the /path/to/ssl1.5/bin directory.
2. Start the Covalent SSL Certificate and Key Management Tool.
3. For the graphical interface, execute: ./sslctl. For the text interface, execute: ./sslctl --textmode. The main screen displays.
4. Select Generate Certificate and Key.
5. Enter the name of the server you want to certify.
6. Select the size of your private key. We recommend a key size of 2048 bits.
7. Enter and confirm a pass phrase for your private key.
8. Define and enter the information for your server certificate.
The server certificate is stored in the directory /path/to/ssl1.5/certs and is named yourserver.domain.cert (for example, www.covalent.net.cert).
The key is stored in the directory /path/to/ssl1.5/keys and is named yourserver.domain.key (for example, www.covalent.net.key).
This step will create the X.509 attributes of the certificate:
Common Name – Must match the URL you plan to secure exactly – is usually your fully-qualified domain name, e.g., devel.ssl247.co.uk or mail.devel.ssl247.co.uk). Remember the www. Is important – include it if you want to secure https://www.yoursite.com & exclude it if you want to secure https://yoursite.com
Organisation - The legal (officially registered) name of your organization/company include Inc., LLP., Pvt, Plc. Ltd. SARL., etc
Organisational unit - The name of your department within the organization (this is often "IT," "Web," or is just left blank).
City/locality - The city or town in which your organization is located.
State/province - The state in which your organization is located.
Country - Click here for the official list of ISO country codes for this field.".
Please do not enter your email address, challenge password or an optional company name when generating the CSR.
9. Modify the Apache configuration file if necessary.
If you are securing the main server and using the included httpsd.conf, the file is configured correctly by default. No modifications are necessary. If you are securing an additional virtual host, you must include two containers for the secure site in the configuration file:
Include a virtual host for HTTP requests listening on port 80.
Include an SSL virtual host for HTTPS requests listening on port 443. The HTTPS server must use an IP-based address and should include the SSLCertificateFile and SSLCertificateKeyFile directives.
10. Run the server with the key and temporary server certificate.
If your server is running, stop the server by executing: /path/to/apache1.3/bin/covalent-faststart-ctl stop
11. Start the server with Covalent SSL by executing: /path/to/apache1.3/bin/covalent-faststart-ctl startssl
During server start-up, you will be prompted to enter the pass phrase for the server certificate.
12. Make a backup of your server certificate and private key.
Step 2: Generate a CSR.
1. Select Generate Certificate Signing Request from the Covalent SSL Certificate and Key Management Tool. You are prompted to select a server certificate to be signed. Select yours.
2. Covalent SSL automatically generates the correct format CSR.
3. Enter the pass phrase you used to encrypt the key that corresponds to this server certificate.
4. Define and enter the information for your CSR.
5. Select a directory and filename for the generated CSR, for example /root/cert-2507. Covalent SSL saves the CSR to the file you designated.
6. Go to the enrollment and enter the information requested in the enrollment form.
