CSR Generation for Apache OpenSSL

The following instructions will guide you through the CSR generation process on Apache OpenSSL

  1. Log in to your server’s terminal via Secure Shell (SSH).

  2. Generate a private key and CSR by running the following command:

    openssl CSR generation command

    Here is the plain text version to copy and paste into your terminal:openssl req -new -newkey rsa:2048 -nodes -keyout server.key -out server.csr

    Note: Replace "server" with the domain name you intend to secure.

  3. Enter the following CSR details when prompted:

    • Common Name: The FQDN (fully-qualified domain name) you want to secure with the certificate such as www.sectigo.com, secure.website.org, *.domain.net, etc.

    • Organization: The full legal name of your organization including the corporate identifier.

    • Organization Unit (OU): Your department such as 'Information Technology' or ‘Website Security.’

    • City or Locality: The locality or city where your organization is legally incorporated. Do not abbreviate.

    • State or Province: The state or province where your organization is legally incorporated. Do not abbreviate.

    • Country: The official two-letter country code (i.e. US, CH) where your organization is legally incorporated.

  4. Note: You are not required to enter a password or passphrase. This optional field is for applying additional security to your key pair.

  5. Locate and open the newly created CSR in a text editor such as Notepad and copy all the text including:

  6. -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
    And
    -----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----

    Certificate

  7. Note 1: Your CSR should be saved in the same user directory that you SSH into unless otherwise specified by you.
    Note 2: We recommend saving or backing up your newly generate “.key” file as this will be required later during the installation process.


Log into your Sectigo account
Click on the Provide CSR on our website and paste the entire CSR into the blank text box and continue with completing the generation process.