How to Create Certificate Authority Solutions

Certificate Authority, or CA, issues security certificates. Security certificates such as secure sockets layer, or SSL, encrypt all communications that flow in and out of your Exchange server. You, as an administrator, may create your own CA using a tool called Internet Information Services, or IIS, Manager. You will need a server computer with administrative privileges to perform this task.

Instructions

1. Log in to a server computer. Click the "Start" menu.

2. Type "inetmgr" (without the quotes) in the search bar and press the "Enter" key. This will launch your IIS Manager.

3. Expand your root menu in the left pane of the main window. Locate the folder/file devoted to the website requiring certificate authority. Right-click and select "Properties."

4. Click the tab that says "Directory Security."

5. Click the "Server Certificate" button.

6. Click "Next" when the welcome screen of the wizard pops up.

7. Click "Create a New Certificate." Click "Next."

8. Click "Prepare the request now, but send later." Click "Next."

9. Type a name for your CA.

10. Set your bit length to "1024." Click "Next" to proceed.

11. Type the name of your organization and your organizational unit and click "Next."

12. Type the URL of your website that requires the CA under "Common Name." Click "Next."

13. Set your location (city/state/country) and click "Next" to proceed.

14. Type a name for the CA request. Click the "Browse" button to choose a destination to save the file. Click "Next" to proceed to the review page.

15. Review details to make sure you have entered all the required fields correctly. Click "Next" and then click "Finish."

References

• Microsoft: Open IIS Manager (IIS 7)
• Xeno Cafe: Creating a Self Signed Certificate for IIS