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Managed PKI for SSL Support

MPKI for SSL Information Generate a CSR Certificate Enrolment Install a Certificate

CSR Generation for Microsoft IIS 4.0

To generate a CSR, you will need to create a key pair for your server. These two items comprise a digital certificate key pair and cannot 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. You will have to request a new SSL Certificate from your Managed PKI for SSL Administrator.

VeriSign recommends that you contact the Microsoft IIS 4.0 vendor for additional information

Generate a Private Key and Certificate Signing Request

1. Open the Microsoft Management Console (MMC) for IIS. Select Start -> Programs -> Windows NT 4.0 Option Pack -> Microsoft Internet Information Server -> Internet Service Manager.
2. Expand the Internet Information Server folder by selecting the ‘+’ sign and then select the ‘+’ sign next to the computer name.
3. Locate the Web site that is going to be using the SSL Certificate. This is usually the ‘Default Web Site’. Right-click on the Web site and choose ‘Properties’.
4. In the ‘Properties’ window, choose the ‘Directory Security’ tab.
5. You should see ‘Secure Communications’, click on the ‘Edit’ next to it. Click on the ‘Key Manager’ button.
6. In ‘Key Manager’ right click on the WWW icon and select ‘Create New Key...’
7. Choose ‘Put the request in a file that you will send to an authority.’ Select an appropriate filename (or accept the default).
8. Fill in the next dialogue. Key lengths available will depend on the version and service packs installed. Remember the password you enter. Without it, you will not be able to install or back up the certificate.  
9. You must specify a bit length for the CSR; choose 1024.
10. Fill in the appropriate contact information and click on Finish. This information can be whatever you like since it will not actually get placed in the certificate.
11. Key Manager will display a key icon under the WWW icon with a red slash through it indicating it is not complete.
12. Choose the ‘Computers’ menu and select ‘Exit’. Choose Yes when asked to commit changes.
13. You have just created a key pair and a CSR. To copy and paste the information into the enrolment form, open the file in a text editor that does not add extra characters. (Notepad or Vi are recommended.)
14. Go to your MPKI for SSL enrolment pages. (Your administrator will provide you with this URL.)

Terms Defined

Common Name

The Common Name is the Host + Domain Name. It looks like "www.company.co.uk" or "company.co.uk".

VeriSign certificates can only be used on Web servers using the Common Name specified during enrolment. For example, a certificate for the domain "domain.co.uk" will receive a warning if accessing a site named "www.domain.co.uk" or "secure.domain.co.uk", because "www.domain.co.uk" and "secure.domain.co.uk" are different from "domain.co.uk".

Organisation Information

• If your company or department has an &, @, or any other symbol using the shift key in its name, you must spell out the symbol or omit it to enrol.
• The “Org Unit” field is the name of the department or organisation unit making the request.
• The Locality field is the city or town name, for example: Guildford.
• Do not abbreviate the county name, for example: Surrey.
• Use the two-letter code without punctuation for country, for example: GB.

Contact Information

Your Managed PKI for SSL Administrator will be responsible for issuing the certificate to you after your enrolment has been completed. Please contact them for assistance.