HOW TO INSTALL AN SSL/TLS CERTIFICATE IN MICROSOFT IIS 8.
SSL certificates are small data files which function to binding an organization’s information to a cryptographic key digitally. When the SSL certificate is installed it activates a https protocol and a padlock that hence allows secure connection between a server and a web browser.
The web server (IIS) has a function to provide a secure, easy to manage, extensible and modular platform for reliably hosting services, websites and applications. With the IIS 8 one has the ability to share information with users in the internet, extranet and the intranet.
Procedure involved in installing SSL/TLS certificate in the Microsoft IIS 8.
Following instructions will give you a clear guide on how to install an SSL/TLS certificate that supports only one domain name on Microsoft IIS 8.If you have more than one server then you will have to install the certificate on each server you need to secure.
Requirements
- Your Server Certificate.
This is the certificate received from the certificate authority for your domain. It might have been sent to you via the e-mail or you can access it by downloading it by visiting your account dashboard and clicking on your order.
- Your Private Key.
The file should be in your server or else should be in your possession if you generated your certificate signing request from a free generator tool. On some platforms like the Microsoft IIS the private key is not visible to the user but is being kept track of by the server.
- Your intermediate certificates.
The files allow all devices connecting to your server to identify the issuing certificate authority. There may be more than one of these certificate in existence. If by any chance you got your certificate in a ZIP then it should also contain the intermediate certificate which at times is referred to as the certificate authority bundle.
Installation Procedures.
- Launch IIS Manager.
You can start of by clicking Start, Control panel, System and security, Administrative tools then select the Internet information services option.
- Select the name of your Server.
On the left side having the connections menu select the server name that you wish to secure using the SSL certificate.
- Select Sever Certificate.
In the center menu on the server certificates click on the icon which is under the security section near the bottom.
- Click complete the complete request icon.
On the right side there is a menu having an icon “Complete certificate Request”. Click on the icon.
- Make a browse to your server certificate.
In the same “complete Certificate request” wizard, click “…” to browse and select your server certificate file of which was previously saved on the desktop of your server.
- Name your Certificate.
Enter a name that is friendly which by itself is an internal reference name to distinguish the file in later periods. I highly recommend that you include the name of the certificate and the expiry date.
- Select Personal.
Select personal to be the store for your new certificate.
- Click OK.
To make the newly installed certificate appear in the server certificate list click ok.
