Introduction

This article discusses how to configure Apache and OpenSSL to serve https content. We assume Apache is installed and OpenSSL commands are available in the PATH environment variable. Otherwise install Apache and OpenSSL using yum or apt.

Create a working directory

Let’s call it sslcert:

$mkdir sslcert

Create two subdirectories under it

Create 2 subdirectories under sslcert. Let’s call them certs and private.

$cd sslcert
$mkdir certs private

Create a database to keep track of each certificate signed

Run the following commands:

$echo '01' > serial
$touch certindex.txt

Make a custom config file for openssl to use

Copy the config elements into a file called openssl.cnf. (edit as needed):