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ISPConfig is an open-source web hosting control panel released in 2005. It allows users to manage their web servers through a web-based interface and includes features such as website, email, database, and DNS management. ISPConfig also provides security features like SSL certificate management and firewall configuration. It's widely used by web hosting companies, system administrators, and individuals who want an easy-to-use and reliable control panel for managing their web servers. This guide will go through how you can easily
install an SSL Certificate on ISPConfig.

Step 1. Generating a CSR and Private Key

Head over to SSLTrust's CSR Generator and generate your CSR and Private Key.

Once you have filled in all the details, make sure to save the Private Key and CSR in a secure location.

Step 2. Order and Configure the SSL Certificate

The next step in the installation process is to order an SSL Certificate. We recommend SSLTrust because of our exceptional Customer Service, Money Back guarantee and SSL Installation Service.
If you have one website, you can now secure one domain name from a variety of cheap, easy and fast to implement SSL Certificates.
However, if you are a business website, we recommend getting a Business SSL because it gives your visitors the complete level of trust which includes a Site Seal and validation by a Certificate Authority (CA). You might want to have a look at getting GeoTrust SSL such as the True Business SSL.
Additonally, if you have multiple subdomains, it might be worthwile to check out Wildcard SSL Certificates because you can get all of your subdomains verified in just one go and elimates the need of purchasing multiple SSL Certificates.
If you need help choosing the right SSL Certificate, our sales/support team is here to help. Just reach out to them, and they'll be glad to offer their assistance.

1: Once you've added the SSL Certificate into your cart, you can now click on Checkout to complete the process.

SSLTrust Checkout

Fill in your account details

SSLTrust Account Details

Choose your preferred mode of payment and click on checkout.

SSLTrust Complete Order

2: After you have purchased the SSL Certificate, you can start the configuration process.
This can be started by going into your SSLTrust account and managing your recent purchase.
Head over to the SSLTrust Dashboard and under Services, select My Services.

SSL Dashboard

You should be able to see your purchased certificate and order status, now click on Manage

Manage SSL

This will take you to the Product Details of your SSL Certificate. Click on start configuration to do the configuration yourself or you can provide the URL below to the appropriate person to complete the configuration for you.

Start Configuration

3: Copy and paste the previously generated CSR (Certificate Signing Request) which should include:-

  -----BEGIN CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
  -----END CERTIFICATE REQUEST-----
CSR Details

Then, click on Verify CSR.
If the CSR details match the inputs you've entered before, you can now proceed or else generate a new CSR with proper details.

CSR Details

Select the Server Type and click on Next Step>

Server Type Step

4: Fill in your contact information

Contact Info

If you have a technical contact managing the certificate for you, please enter their details.
They will also have permission to manage the Certificate and will be sent renewal reminders.

Technical Contact

To obtain a business SSL certificate, you will need to provide your business details, including your correct address, phone number, and legal entity name. The Certificate Authority will verify the accuracy of this information. If there are any mistakes, it may cause delays in the process.
Then, click on Next Step>

5: The next step in this process is Domain Control Validation (DCV). Basically, Domain control validation is a process used to verify that the person or organization requesting an SSL/TLS certificate for a domain has the authority to control that domain. There are several different methods that can be used to perform DCV, including email validation, DNS validation, and file-based validation.

domain control validation

Select the method that is easiest for you. Having an email address with the domain name will be the quickest.
You will be sent an email containing a link which when clicked upon should validate your domain name.
In HTTP/HTTPS File Validation Method, you can create a folder in the specified and directory, paste in the contents and your domain should be validated.

HTTP Method

The final method to validate your domain name would be CNAME Validation. Basically you have to create a CNAME record in your DNS Settings to validate your domain name and then click on the Check DNS Record button to verify DNS changes.

CNAME Method

After a few seconds or minutes depending on your DNS propagation speed, the CNAME record should be verified.

DNS Check

The configuration should be a success. Click on the button below to access the validation manager.

Certificate Configuration Success

6: Your certificate should have now been issued if you completed all the above steps correctly.

Certificate Issue Success

If not, click on Domain Control Validation, and re-submit whatever method you chose for validation.
Upon completing domain validation using the chosen method, your SSL certificate will be issued. If you have ordered a Business SSL, you will need to wait for the Certificate Authority to verify your business address and phone number. If the validation process has not been completed or you have not received your certificate after a certain period of time, please reach out to the support team to check on the status of your certificate.

Step 3. Download and Upload Certificate Files to your Server

Once your SSL certificate has been issued, you will receive an email with the certificate directly from the Certificate Authority. Alternatively, you can download the certificate from the SSLTrust Portal, which presents the certificate in a convenient, easy-to-use format.

Again, head over to the SSLTrust Dashboard and click on your certificate:-

dashboard-final

1: Click on Collect/Download Certificate-

Collect Certificate

2: Navigate to http://yourdomain.com:8080 and login as root

ISPConfig Homepage

3: Click on Sites on the top menu and then select your website

ISPConfig Website Select

4: Select the SSL Option from the top menu and fill in details from your CSR (Certificate Signing Request)

ISPConfig SSL Page

5: In the domain field, type in the domain that you issued the certificate for. Furthermore, paste in your Private Key and CSR.

ISPConfig SSL Details

6: Head back to the certificate collection page and go to the first column and click on copy to clipboard

Copy Main SSL Certificate

7: Paste in your certificate in the SSL Certificate Dialog Box.

8: Again, head back to the certificate collection page and click on copy to clipboard on the Intermediate certificate.

Copy Intermediate SSL Certificate

9: Select SSL Action as "Save Certificate" and click on Save. Wait for the changes to take effect.

ISP Save SSL Settings

Step 4. Test the SSL Certificate

It is a good idea to go to your website and see if it works via https://www.yourdomain.com We also recommend you use this tool to check the install has been completed successfully: www.ssllabs.com/ssltest/

For custom port/Localhost SSL Testing, check out another tool here

SLLabs Test A RatingYou may need to get your web developer, or update your website yourself, to make sure all files use https:// and all links to your site and within your website use https://
If you require any assistance with your SSL Installation please contact our friendly support team.


Author: Siddiqui Ammar
Published:

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