Websphere ssl certificate and key management

1. How SSL works in WebSphere Application Server?
2. What is SSL certificate and key?
3. Where should you configure the SSL certificate?
4. Where are certificates stored in WebSphere?
5. How SSL certificate works step by step?
6. How does SSL work with a load balancer?
7. What is the difference between keystore and TrustStore in WebSphere Application Server?
8. How do I replace the default SSL certificate on a WebSphere Application Server?
9. How install and configure SSL certificate?

How SSL works in WebSphere Application Server?

In the SSL basic authentication scheme, the server authenticates the client by challenging the client for a user ID and password or password phrase. For clients, you must create a key ring and attach to it the CA certificate from the certificate authority that issued the server's certificate.

What is SSL certificate and key?

An SSL certificate is a digital certificate that authenticates a website's identity and enables an encrypted connection. SSL stands for Secure Sockets Layer, a security protocol that creates an encrypted link between a web server and a web browser.

Where should you configure the SSL certificate?

Under Install and Manage SSL for your site (HTTPS), click Manage SSL Sites. Scroll down to the Install an SSL Website and click Browse Certificates. Select the certificate that you want to activate and click Use Certificate. This will auto-fill the fields for the certificate.

Where are certificates stored in WebSphere?

WebSphere® Application Server uses the certificates that reside in keystores to establish trust for a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) connection.

How SSL certificate works step by step?

The web server sends the browser/server a copy of its SSL certificate. The browser/server checks to see whether or not it trusts the SSL certificate. If so, it sends a message to the web server. The web server sends back a digitally signed acknowledgement to start an SSL encrypted session.

How does SSL work with a load balancer?

The load balancer uses the certificate to terminate the connection and then decrypt requests from clients before sending them to the instances. The SSL and TLS protocols use an X. 509 certificate (SSL/TLS server certificate) to authenticate both the client and the back-end application.

What is the difference between keystore and TrustStore in WebSphere Application Server?

TrustStore is used to store certificates from Certified Authorities (CA) that verify the certificate presented by the server in an SSL connection. While Keystore is used to store private key and identity certificates that a specific program should present to both parties (server or client) for verification.

How do I replace the default SSL certificate on a WebSphere Application Server?

To replace the default certificate of a node, you must create a new NodeDefaultKeyStore for the certificate and then replace the old certificate with the new one. The certificate created by default on the WebSphere® Application Server subjectDN is of the form cn=<hostname>, ou=<cell name>, ou=<node name>, o=ibm, c=us.

How install and configure SSL certificate?

Under Install and Manage SSL for your site (HTTPS), click Manage SSL Sites. Scroll down to the Install an SSL Website and click Browse Certificates. Select the certificate that you want to activate and click Use Certificate. This will auto-fill the fields for the certificate.