SSL certificates types

SSL vendors

Create CSR

Generating CSR for Apache

Generating the Key Pair

1. The utility "OpenSSL" is used to generate both Private Key (key) and Certificate Signing request (CSR). OpenSSL is usually installed under /usr/local/ssl/bin. If you have a custom install, you will need to adjust these instructions appropriately.

2. Type the following command at the prompt:

openssl genrsa –des3 –out www.mydomain.com.key 2048

Note: If you do not wish to use a Pass Phrase, do not use the -des3 command. It will however leave the private key unprotected.

3. Enter the PEM Pass Phrase (This MUST be remembered)

4. This will generate a 2048 RSA Private key, and stores it in the file www.mydomain.com.key.

Generating the CSR

1. Type the following command at the prompt:

openssl req –new –key www.mydomain.com.key –out www.mydomain.com.csr

Note:You will be prompted for the PEM Pass Phrase if you included the "-des3" command. Type it in now.

Note: There is a known issue with Apache/OpenSSL Windows Based Installations. If you recevie an error with the above command, Please enter the following:
openssl req -new -key www.mydomain.com.key -out www.mydomain.com.csr -config openssl.cnf

2. Input the information for the Certificate Signing Request. This information will be displayed in the certificate.

Note: The following characters can not be accepted: < > ~ ! @ # $ % ^ * / \ ( ) ?.,&

Example:
Country Name (2 letter code) [AU]:UA
State or Province Name (full name) []: Kharkovskaya oblast
Locality Name (eg, city) []:Kharkov
Organization Name (eg, company) []:Ukrnames
Organization Unit Name (eg, section) []:IT
Common Name []:www.ukrnames.com (Must be the FQDN - Fully Qualifed Domain Name)

Note: DO NOT Enter the following :
Email Address []:
A challenge password []:
An optional company name []:

3. Please verify the CSR, to insure all information is correct. Use the following command:
openssl req -noout -text -in www.mydomain.com.csr

4. Your CSR is now generated. Open the CSR with a text editor, and copy and paste the text (including the BEGIN and END tags) into enrollment form when requested.