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# Building a Secure RedHat Apache Server HOWTO

## Richard Sigle, `Richard.sigle@equifax.com`

0.1, 2001-02-06

The guide is designed to explain how PKI and SSL work together. It is essential to understand how the SSL protocol works to successfully deploy a secure server.

## 1. Purpose/Scope of this Guide

- 1.1 About Secure Sockets Layer (SSL)
- 1.2 FeedBack
- 1.3 Copyrights and Trademarks
- 1.4 Acknowledgements and Thanks

## 2. Introduction to Secure Sockets Layer/Private Key Infrastructure

- 2.1 Responsibilities of SSL/PKI
- 2.2 How SSL Works
- 2.3 How PKI Works
- 2.4 Certificates(x509 Standard)
- 2.5 Digital Certificate Private Key
- 2.6 Digital Certificate Public Key
- 2.7 Certificate Signing Request(CSR)

## 3. Working with Certificates

- 3.1 Create a Private Key
- 3.2 Create a Certificate Signing Request
- 3.3 Creating a Self-Signed Certificate
- 3.4 Installing your Web Server Certificate

## 4. Configuring your Apache Server

- 4.1 Define a Secure Virtual Host
- 4.2 Certificate Examples
- 4.3 Restart the Web Server

## 5. Troubleshooting

- 5.1 Server Appears to start, but you cannot access the secure site
- 5.2 Certificate Name Check Warning is issued by the client's browser
- 5.3 Certificate was Signed by an Untrusted Certificate Authority Warning
- 5.4 SSLEngine on is an un-recognized command (when starting Apache)
- 5.5 You have forgotten your "PEM Passphrase" and you would like to know

## 6. Glossary

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