Step-by-Step Guide: Create SSL Certificate in IIS 8

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. What is a CSR (Certificate Signing Request)?
3. Why is a CSR important?
4. How to generate a CSR on Windows Server 2012
   • Step 1: Open Chrome browser
   • Step 2: Access the SSL certificate in the GoDaddy account
   • Step 3: Click on setup and view SSL credit
   • Step 4: Add SSL certificate successfully
   • Step 5: Connect to the server using remote desktop
   • Step 6: Type the server IP address
   • Step 7: Access the website on the server
   • Step 8: Open server manager and go to Internet Information Services
   • Step 9: Expand the server node and go to Server Certificates
   • Step 10: Create a certificate request
5. Required information for the certificate request
   • Common Name
   • Organization
   • Organizational Unit
   • City and Location
   • State or Province
   • Country or Region
6. Cryptographic service provider properties
7. File name and path for the CSR
8. Saving and checking the CSR
9. Conclusion

How to Generate a CSR Certificate Signing Request on Windows Server 2012

In this article, we will guide you through the process of generating a CSR (Certificate Signing Request) on Windows Server 2012. A CSR is an essential step in obtaining an SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificate for your website. We will provide step-by-step instructions on how to generate a CSR using an example scenario with GoDaddy as the SSL certificate provider. So, let's get started.

1. Introduction

Before we dive into the process of generating a CSR, let's first understand what a CSR is and why it is important.

2. What is a CSR (Certificate Signing Request)?

A CSR, or Certificate Signing Request, is a file that is created on a server to apply for an SSL certificate. It contains information about your organization, such as the domain name, location, and other identifying details. The CSR is then submitted to a Certificate Authority (CA), like GoDaddy, to obtain a digital certificate.

3. Why is a CSR important?

A CSR is crucial in the SSL certificate issuance process. It acts as proof of identity for your organization and includes the public key that will be used to encrypt data transmitted between your server and users' browsers. Without a valid CSR, you cannot obtain an SSL certificate for your website, which means your website will not be secure, and users may not trust it.

4. How to generate a CSR on Windows Server 2012

Now that we understand the importance of a CSR, let's proceed with the steps to generate a CSR on Windows Server 2012.

Step 1: Open Chrome browser

To begin, open your preferred web browser (in this case, we'll use Chrome) and navigate to the GoDaddy website.

Step 2: Access the SSL certificate in the GoDaddy account

Log in to your GoDaddy account and click on "Setup" for the SSL certificate you want to generate a CSR for.

Step 3: Click on setup and view SSL credit

In the setup menu, you can view the number of SSL credits you have available in your account.

Step 4: Add SSL certificate successfully

Click on the "Setup" button to add the SSL certificate to your account successfully.

Step 5: Connect to the server using remote desktop

Now, we need to connect to the server where the CSR will be generated. Use remote desktop to establish a connection.

Step 6: Type the server IP address

In the remote desktop window, type the IP address of your server and click on "Connect."

Step 7: Access the website on the server

Once connected to the server, open Internet Explorer and enter the URL of the website you want to configure for SSL.

Step 8: Open server manager and go to Internet Information Services

Open the server manager on the Windows Server 2012 machine and navigate to "Tools" > "Internet Information Services."

Step 9: Expand the server node and go to Server Certificates

Expand the server node in the Internet Information Services (IIS) manager and locate the "Server Certificates" section.

Step 10: Create a certificate request

From the action pane, click on "Create Certificate Request" to begin the process of generating a CSR.

5. Required information for the certificate request

When creating the certificate request, you will be prompted to provide specific information. Here are the details you need to provide:

• Common Name: Enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) for which the SSL certificate will be used.
• Organization: Type the legally registered name of your organization.
• Organizational Unit: Differentiate between divisions within your organization, if applicable.
• City and Location: Enter the full name of the city where your organization is registered or located.
• State or Province: Provide the full name of the state or province where your organization is authorized.
• Country or Region: Select the country or region where your organization is located.

Once you have entered the required information, click "Next" to proceed.

6. Cryptographic service provider properties

On the cryptographic service provider properties screen, select the default provider (Microsoft RSA SChannel Cryptographic Provider) and choose a bit length of 2048. Click "Next" to continue.

7. File name and path for the CSR

Specify the file name and path where the Certificate Signing Request (CSR) will be saved. Choose a descriptive file name, ensuring it ends with the ".txt" extension. Click "Finish" to save the CSR.

8. Saving and checking the CSR

Once the CSR has been generated and saved, you can find the text file on your server's desktop. Double-click on the file to open it in Notepad and verify the information it contains.

9. Conclusion

Congratulations! You have successfully generated a CSR on Windows Server 2012. The CSR is now ready to be submitted to a Certificate Authority, such as GoDaddy, to obtain an SSL certificate for your website. In the next part of this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of processing the CSR with the Certification Authority and obtaining the SSL certificate.

Highlights

• A CSR (Certificate Signing Request) is a crucial file used in obtaining an SSL certificate.
• Generating a CSR is an essential step in securing your website and establishing trust with users.
• Windows Server 2012 provides built-in tools to generate a CSR efficiently.
• The required information for a CSR includes the common name, organization, location, and more.
• Saving and verifying the CSR is essential to ensure its accuracy.

FAQ

Q: What is the purpose of a CSR? A: A CSR is used to apply for an SSL certificate and includes information about the organization and domain name.

Q: How do I generate a CSR on Windows Server 2012? A: Follow the step-by-step instructions provided in this article to generate a CSR on Windows Server 2012.

Q: Can I use the same CSR for multiple SSL certificates? A: No, each SSL certificate requires its own unique CSR.

Q: What happens after I generate a CSR? A: The CSR is submitted to a Certificate Authority (CA) for verification and issuance of the SSL certificate.

Q: Can I edit the information in a CSR after it has been generated? A: No, once a CSR has been generated and saved, the information cannot be edited. A new CSR must be generated with the updated information.

Q: How long does it take to receive an SSL certificate after submitting a CSR? A: The time frame varies depending on the Certificate Authority but can range from a few minutes to a few days.

Q: Are there any alternatives to generating a CSR on Windows Server 2012? A: Yes, there are third-party tools available that can assist in generating CSRs on Windows Server 2012.