I have a dedicated server. How can i install my commercial ssl certificate on my server using plesk?

Answer by: George Kaloyanov, Aplus.Net Knowledge Base Support

Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) is a protocol designed to enable encrypted, authenticated connection across the Internet. SSL is used mostly in communication between web browsers and web servers. URL's that begin with 'https' indicate that an SSL connection will be used. Online shopping sites frequently use SSL technology to safeguard credit card information. In order to use the SSL protocol you need to have an SSL certificate which is used for the server authentication, data encryption, and message integrity checks. Commercial SSL certificates are issued by official Identity Assurance authorities as is the case with the certificate offered by Aplus.Net.

Once your SSL Certificate is issued by the Certificate Authority, Aplus.Net will provide the respective Certificate files for download through the Aplus.Net Control Panel. You have to download the Certificate Archive (in zip format), save the files to a safe location on your local computer and import them on your dedicated server using the Plesk Control Panel.

The instructions below are based on two prerequisites:

A configured physical hosting for your domain through the Plesk Control Panel. You have to use Exclusive IP address allocation type. SSL certificates do not work with Shared IP addresses.
Enabled SSL support for your hosted domain name within the Plesk interface.

Here is how to download the SSL Certificate files and install the SSL Certificate on your Dedicated Server using Plesk:

Start by logging to the Aplus.Net Control Panel at http://cp.aplus.net using your Registration number and Customer password.
Select Dedicated from the top navigation bar and click on the Secure Server Certificates submenu.
From the Secure Server Certificates Management table, click retrieve bundle link of the respective SSL order.

Note: The Order Status should be Certificate is Ready, if your SSL is already issued and available for installation.

The SSL Bundle contains all your SSL Certificate files archived in ZIP format:

yourdomain.crt - The Certificate file for your domain.
yourdomain.key - The Private Key file for your domain.
yourdomain.bundle - The Intermediate Certificate file of the CA.
yourdomain.pfx - All of the above as a pkcs12 bundled file.
yourdomain.csr - The Certificate Signing Request that matches the private key in this archive.

The download process should start automatically. Make sure you allow the download process if any security warnings appear. It is secured via SSL connection itself.
Unzip the archive in a safe location on your local machine.
Login into your Plesk Control Panel at https://your-server-ip-address:8443 using your Plesk Administrative Access.
Click on Domains link located in the left panel. You will be redirected to a list that contains all domain names you have configured hosting for.
Click on the domain name that you’d like to manage.
Click the Certificate icon, located in the services section.
Click the Add New Certificate icon.
Enter a name of your own choice for the new certificate object in the Certificate name text field.

Important: Do not enter any information in the Preferences section.

Use the Upload certificate files section to upload your SSL Private Key File, Certificate File and the CA Intermediate Certificate File. Select the 3 files from your local computer and click Send Files.

Note: All those files are included in the archive described in step 5.

The new Certificate Object will appear in the Certificates summary table.
Click on the domain name link located on the top navigation bar. This will open the management screen of your hosted domain as in step 10.
Click on the Setup icon located in the Hosting section.
Use the Certificate drop down menu to select the Certificate Object that should be activated for this domain name and click the OK button.
You can now open your domain using the secure https protocol.

CERTIFICATE ORDER STATUS:

You will see your already purchased certificates in one of the following six statuses:
Awaiting Information Approval – our system is still verifying your personal data;
Scheduled for Revocation – the certificate was revoked and the plan will be closed;
Revoked – the certificate is already revoked and the plan will be closed;
Unable to be issued – the plan will be closed and the amount charged will be refunded;
Certificate Packaging in Progress– the certificate is already issued by the CA. The respective SSL files are not yet available for download;
Certificate is Ready– the SSL Certificate files are ready for download.

MANAGEMENT OPTIONS:

Renew/replace - use this link button to order a new certificate. If you supply the same personal information for the new certificate, you will renew the existing certificate. On the other hand, if you change your personal information, you will actually replace your old certificate with the new one.
Retrieve bundle – use this link button to download the SSL Certificate Bundle to your local machine.

TRUSTLOGO:

A TrustLogo delivers your own real-time identity assurance verification to your web site visitors. The TrustLogo appears at the bottom right corner of your web pages. When clicked on, it displays in a new window your personal information specified during setup.

If you have purchased a TrustLogo in addition to your certificate, click on the corresponding install link and follow the instructions on the page. The tool will generate the required HTML code which you need to include in your web pages.