Do you own a website? In case you are running website or some applications online security should always be your focal point. One important measure to protect your sites is to employ the SSL (Secure Socket Layer) certificates. SSL certificates are effective in ensuring that any data passed between the server and the users are safe; protecting things like passwords, credit card details, and personal details.
But where are you going to locate more than one server? Is it possible to have the same SSL certificate used for different servers? The answer is yes! Here contains information on how one can use an SSL certificate on multiple servers A guide on How to use SSL Certificate on Multiple Servers
Why would I use an SSL Certificate on multiple servers?
In case your website or application server is installed on multiple servers for the purpose of balancing the load, or having a backup server, you may have to use the same SSL certificate on all servers. This ensure security for all the servers and make the user experience to be the same throughout the servers.
How to Install an SSL Certificate on Multiple Servers?
1. Buy the right SSL Certificate
The fact is that not all SSL certificates can be installed on several servers simultaneously. One point to consider you buy SSL is at least the licence should permit the installation on the multiple servers. Search for certificates with the so-called “wildcard” option or “multi-domain” resolution. Wildcard allows SSL for a domain and all subdomains while the multi domain SSL allows SSL for several domains.
2. Export the SSL Certificate from Your Main Server
To export an SSL certificate, go to SSL/TLS settings of your server, Search for the export option there in the format of.PFX or.PEM Now Save both SSL certificate and Private Key.
3.Install the SSL Certificate on Other Servers
To install an SSL certificate on these multiple servers, firstly, gain access to the server on which certificate and the private key is required to be upload; then upload the files; then follow the instructions specific to the server; then copy the files to the correct directory; and link them to the server’s configuration. After that restart the server to implement the changes, go through these steps for all the servers.
4. Don’t let your SSL certificates get expired
SSL certificates in most cases are temporary and are valid for one or two years. You must also make certain that all the SSL certificates in each server used by your business are current. If your certificate expires on one server but not others, you may get security warnings or potentially vulnerable. Most SSL providers provide facility of auto renewal, but in any case this process is not so hectic.
5. use of load balancer with SSL termination.
Any load balancer setup server implementation can be performed by implementing SSL termination in case you are to implement SSL certificates on multiple servers. This method balances traffic to servers and since it can accommodate the SSL certificate within the load balancer rather than on each server, it eliminates the need to deliver the certificate in one point.
Final Thoughts
It might look complex to apply an SSL certificate across multiple servers, but it is achievable as we shall see below. First of all, get the appropriate SSL certificate, move it from one main server to another and install it. However, the general public should not forget that their certificates need to be renewed in case there will be disruptions in security.
Also Read: The Power of Automated Certificate Management Systems
