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NOTE: CentOS Enterprise Linux is built from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux source code. Other than logo and name changes CentOS Enterprise Linux is compatible with the equivalent Red Hat version. This document applies equally to both Red Hat and CentOS Enterprise Linux.

26.8. Creating a Self-Signed Certificate

You can create your own self-signed certificate. Note that a self-signed certificate does not provide the security guarantees of a CA-signed certificate. Refer to Section 26.5 Types of Certificates for more details about certificates.

To make your own self-signed certificate, first create a random key using the instructions provided in Section 26.6 Generating a Key. Once you have a key, make sure you are in the /usr/share/ssl/certs/ directory, and type the following command:

make testcert

The following output is shown and you are prompted for your passphrase (unless you generated a key without a passphrase):

umask 77 ; \
/usr/bin/openssl req -new -key /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key/server.key 
-x509 -days 365 -out /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/server.crt
Using configuration from /usr/share/ssl/openssl.cnf
Enter pass phrase:

Next, you are asked for more information. The computer's output and a set of inputs looks like the following (provide the correct information for your organization and host):

You are about to be asked to enter information that will be incorporated
into your certificate request.
What you are about to enter is what is called a Distinguished Name or a
DN.
There are quite a few fields but you can leave some blank
For some fields there will be a default value,
If you enter '.', the field will be left blank.
-----
Country Name (2 letter code) [GB]:US      
State or Province Name (full name) [Berkshire]:North Carolina
Locality Name (eg, city) [Newbury]:Raleigh
Organization Name (eg, company) [My Company Ltd]:My Company, Inc.
Organizational Unit Name (eg, section) []:Documentation
Common Name (your name or server's hostname) []:myhost.example.com
Email Address []:[email protected]

After you provide the correct information, a self-signed certificate is created in /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/server.crt. Restart the secure server after generating the certificate with following the command:

/sbin/service httpd restart

 
 
  Published under the terms of the GNU General Public License Design by Interspire