The first thing to do is generate the private key. The following command generates a 1024 bit RSA private key encrypted with triple DES (DES3).
# openssl genrsa -des3 -out server.key 1024 Generating RSA private key, 1024 bit long modulus .......++++++ ............++++++ e is 65537 (0x10001) Enter pass phrase for server.key: Verifying - Enter pass phrase for server.key:
Next create certificate request. This is used to create the self signed certificate, and is what you would send to a CA for signing.
# openssl req -new -key server.key -out server.csr Enter pass phrase for server.key: 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) [AU]:US State or Province Name (full name) [Some-State]:Georgia Locality Name (eg, city) []:Atlanta Organization Name (eg, company) [Internet Widgits Pty Ltd]:Higherpass Organizational Unit Name (eg, section) []:ssl Common Name (eg, YOUR name) []:ssl.higherpass.com Email Address []:ssl@higherpass.com Please enter the following 'extra' attributes to be sent with your certificate request A challenge password []: An optional company name []:
To prevent having to enter the password each time the key is loaded you need to cache the password in the key. Take precautions to protect this file. If lost or stolen contact your CA to have it revoked.
# cp server.key server.key.orig # openssl rsa -in server.key.orig -out server.key Enter pass phrase for server.key.orig: writing RSA key
Generate self signed certificate
# openssl x509 -req -days 365 -in server.csr -signkey server.key -out server.crt Signature ok subject=/C=US/ST=Georgia/L=Atlanta/O=Higherpass/OU=ssl/CN=ssl.higherpass.com/emailAddress=ssl@higherpass.com Getting Private key