Every server certificate includes a distinguished name used for SSL connections. You set up this distinguished name when you create the server key ring file. Some components of a distinguished name are optional; however, the more components you include, the less likely you are to encounter an identical name elsewhere on the Internet.

Note If you are requesting a server certificate from a server-based certification authority, you can use the IBM® Lotus® Notes® client to create the server key ring and request a server certificate in the Certificate Requests database.

To create a server key ring file

1. Set up the Server Certificate Admin application.

2. From the Lotus Notes client, open the Server Certificate Admin application on the server for which you want to enable SSL.

3. Click "Create Key Ring."

4. Complete these fields:

Field	Action
Key Ring File Name	Enter the key ring file name. The default is KEYFILE.KYR. It's helpful to use the extension .KYR to keep key ring file names consistent. Note the server's key ring file name appears in any Internet Site documents that you have configured, or, if Internet Site documents are not being used, on the Ports - Internet Ports tab of the Server document. If you specified a name other than the default, you need to edit the name where it appears - in the Internet Site documents or in the Server document.
Key Ring Password	Enter the password for the key ring.
Key Size	Specify the key size Domino uses when creating the public and private key pairs. The larger the size, the stronger the encryption.
Common name	Enter the server's TCP/IP fully-qualified domain name -- for example, www.acme.com. Set up the server certificate so that the common name matches the host name since some browsers check for this match before allowing a connection.
Organization	Enter the name of the organization -- for example, a company name, such as Acme.
Organizational Unit	(Optional) Enter the name of certifier division or department.
City or Locality	(Optional) Enter the organization city or locality.
State or Province	Enter the full name of the state or province in which the certifier organization resides.
Country	Enter the two-character abbreviation of country in which organization resides

5. Click "Create Key Ring."

6. After you read the information about the key ring file and distinguished name, click OK. Lotus Notes creates the key ring file and stash (.STH) file and places them in the Lotus Notes data directory on the client machine used to create the key ring.

7. Copy the key ring file and stash (.STH) file to the Domino data directory on the server.

Caution You must ensure that the key ring password in the stash file is protected. The key ring file password is altered in the stash file so that it cannot be recognized by a casual observer, but it is not encrypted. You should not allow unauthorized persons access to either the stash file or the key ring file. In the normal course of operation, only the server itself should have access to those files; however, administrators may also need permission to remove or replace the files. As with all server resources, managing proper file permissions and protections is vital to the security of the system.

Related topics

Setting up the Server Certificate Admin application
Requesting an SSL server certificate
Default Domino SSL trusted roots
Setting up SSL on a Domino server
Understanding Internet site documents

Glossary