How to Create a CSR with OpenSSL

Описание: Learn how to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) using OpenSSL, a widely used tool for managing SSL/TLS certificates. Follow this step-by-step guide to create a CSR for your web server or application.
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When setting up secure communication for a website or service, a crucial step is generating a Certificate Signing Request (CSR). This CSR is required when requesting an SSL/TLS certificate from a certificate authority (CA). OpenSSL, a versatile command-line tool, provides a straightforward way to create CSRs. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to generate a CSR using OpenSSL:

Step 1: Install OpenSSL

Make sure OpenSSL is installed on your system. Most Linux distributions come with OpenSSL pre-installed. For Windows users, you can download OpenSSL binaries from the official website.

Step 2: Generate a Private Key

First, generate a private key that will be used to secure the certificate. Use the following command:

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Replace key.pem with your desired filename for the private key.

Step 3: Create a CSR

Now, use the private key to create a CSR with the necessary information (such as domain name, organization details, etc.). Run the following command:

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You will be prompted to enter information for the CSR, such as country code, organization name, common name (domain name), and other details. It's important to provide accurate information, especially the common name, which should match the domain name for which the certificate will be used.

Step 4: Review and Submit the CSR

Once the CSR is created (csr.pem in this example), you can review its contents using:

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This command will display the CSR details on the terminal.

Step 5: Submit CSR to Certificate Authority (CA)

Finally, submit the generated CSR (csr.pem) to a trusted certificate authority to obtain an SSL/TLS certificate. The CA will use the CSR to validate your identity and issue a certificate that can be used to secure your website or service.

By following these steps, you can generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) using OpenSSL and proceed to obtain an SSL/TLS certificate to secure your website or application.