SSL Certificate Installation

Here are some common SSL certificate installation questions that will help you better understand the installation process. For specific installation instructions for your web server type, we have included links to the best instructions from certificate authorities.

How do I install my SSL certificate?

You need to install the SSL certificate on the same server or with the same private key that you generated the CSR with. You can find instructions in your server documentation or using these one of these pages:

4D Webstar 4.x - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on a Webstar 4.x Server.
Apache - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on an Apache Web Server.
BEA Weblogic - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on a BEA Weblogic Server.
Cisco Secure ACS - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on a Cisco Secure ACS (Access Control Server).
Citrix Secure Gateway - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on a Citrix Secure Gateway.
Courier IMAP - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on an Apache Web Server.
cPanel/WHM - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate in cPanel (WHM)
Ensim Pro - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on an Ensim Pro Server.
F5 Big-IP - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on F5 Big-IP.
H-Sphere - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on H-Sphere.
IBM HTTP Server - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on an IBM HTTP Server.
Lotus Domino - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on Lotus Domino.
Microsoft IIS 5 and 6 - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate in Microsoft IIS 5 and 6 on a Windows 2000 or Windows 2003 server.
NetScreen - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on a Juniper NetScreen Server.
Tomcat - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on a Tomat Server.
Plesk - Instructions for installing an SSL Certificate on Plesk.

If your server type isn't listed above, you can try the instructions from one of these certificate authorities:

Comodo SSL Certificate Installation Instructions
DigiCert SSL Certificate Installation Instructions
GeoTrust SSL Certificate Installation Instructions
Thawte SSL Certificate Installation Instructions
VeriSign SSL Certificate Installation Instructions

How do I install a wildcard certificate?

A wildcard certificate is installed the exact same way that a normal certificate is installed. The only difference is the * character in the common name field which the web browser knows how to handle. Nothing extra is needed to install the certificate on the server.

What is reissuing a certificate?

Reissuing a certificate allows you to create a new certificate based on a new private key. This allows you to install the certificate on a new server without moving your current private key or replacing the current certificate if your private key is lost or compromised. Many certificate authorities offer free reissues but some have more limited options. In order to reissue your certificate you will just need to create a new CSR and then process the reissue and receive a new certificate within your account with the certificate authority. Then you can install the new SSL certificate that is based on your new private key.

Do I have to buy a new certificate if my server crashes?

No. Most certificates allow you to reissue the certificate with a new private key if you lose the current one. Still, it is a very good idea to backup your certificate and private key.

How do I backup my private key?

Without your private key, your digital certificate is useless. It isn't possible to recover a private key with the certificate. The certificate authority that creates the certificate never sees your private key, so they can't help you if you lose it! If you do lose your private key you can create a new one and try reissuing the certificate with the certificate authority. Here are some instructions for backing up your private key:

DigiCert Certificate Backup/Import Instructions
Thawte Certificate Backup Instructions
VeriSign Certificate Backup Instructions