How to Install RapidSSL Wildcard certificate
Steps to Install RapidSSL Wildcard Certificate on RedHat Linux Web Server
Initial Checklist
Before Installing RapidSSL Wildcard Certificate please ensure following processes have been completed
- Buy/renew RapidSSL Wildcard Certificate
- Generate CSR with SHA-2 algorithm
- Save the CSR & Private key file on your server
- Apply for SSL Certificate Issuance
Note: if this SSL Installation process not work for your RedHat server, then please contact them directly to find the actual issue.
Step 1: Download & Extract Certificates
Once you complete the checkout & Certificate issuance process RapidSSL will send you email via email including a *.zip file. Extract this *.zip file on your server directory.
Step 2: Download & Installation of Intermediate CA certificate
- Download RapidSSL Intermediate certificate via here. (Make sure to download the intermediate certificate for
SHA-2 algorithm). - Open the intermediate certificate file using any text editor; copy all the encrypted data into a new file and save the new file with any name lets say (intermediate_cert.crt).
Note: you can give any name to intermediate certificate file, but the extension of this file must be .crt.
- Copy this file in to /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/intermediatecert.crt
- Open your CNF file using any text editor via etc/httpd/conf/httpd.conf location.
- Now using virtual host tag add following directive
SSLCACertificateFile /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/intermediate.crt
- Your intermediate certificate is now installed.
Step 3: Install SSL Certificate File
- Open you certificate file with text editor and copy its encrypted data starting from —–BEGIN CERTIFICATE—– to —–END CERTIFICATE—– and paste it into
new file - Now save that file with new name as server-cert.crt
- Save your certificate file at following location /etc/
httpd /conf/ssl.crt/server-cert.crt - Following the same way add your server.key file at /etc/
httpd /conf/ssl.key/server.key
Now in your httpd.cnf file, using virtual host tag add following directives.
SSLCertificateFile /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/server.crt
SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.key/server.key
SSLCACertificateFile /etc/httpd/conf/ssl.crt/intermediate.crt (Don’t add, if it is already added.)
- Save your httpd.cnf file
- Restart your Red Hat Apache web server.