Domain name wild-card certificate deployment tutorial Detailed operation steps to share

For website administrators with multiple subdomains, applying for an SSL certificate for each subdomain is not only time-consuming and laborious, but also increases the cost of later maintenance. As an SSL certificate that can cover the main domain name and all second-level subdomains at the same time, the domain name wild-card certificate can effectively solve this pain point. This article will help you disassemble the whole process of domain name wild-card certificate deployment from pre-preparation, certificate application, server configuration to post-verification and maintenance, and help you efficiently complete the HTTPS encryption configuration of the website, improve website security and user trust.

What preparations should be done before the deployment of the domain name wild-card certificate?

before the official deployment of the domain name wild-card certificate, adequate preparation can avoid subsequent configuration failures and ensure the smooth progress of the deployment process.

1 Confirm domain ownership and server authority

you need to ensure that you have full control of the target primary domain name and can modify the DNS resolution record of the domain name, which is the core premise of completing the domain name verification when applying for the domain name wild-card certificate. At the same time, to obtain the server administrator rights of the deployment certificate, whether it is Nginx, Apache or IIS server, you need permissions to modify the configuration file and restart the service.

2, sort out the server environment and subdomain list

sort out the running environment of the current server in advance, including the server type, version number and existing Web service configuration to avoid conflicts between the domain name wild-card certificate configuration and the existing environment. In addition, list all the second-level subdomains that need to be covered to ensure that the domain name wild-card certificate can fully cover the access entrances required by the business after deployment.

2. How to apply for and obtain a domain name wild-card certificate?

the application of domain name wild-card certificate is the core part of the deployment process, select a formal certificate authority and complete the verification in order to obtain a valid certificate file.

1, choose the appropriate certificate authority

you can choose a certificate authority according to your budget and needs, Let's Encrypt provides free domain name wild-card certificates, suitable for individual webmasters and small businesses; paid domain name wild-card certificates from DigiCert, GlobalSign and other institutions provide more complete technical support and higher browser trust, suitable for medium and large enterprise websites.

2. Complete domain name verification and certificate download

submit the domain name wild-card certificate application, the certificate authority will require the completion of the domain name verification, the common way is DNS verification, you need to add the specified TXT record in the domain name DNS resolution, after the agency verification is passed, you can download the certificate file, private key file compressed package, after downloading to save properly, to avoid private key leakage.

How do different servers configure domain name wild-card certificates?

different types of servers, there are differences in the configuration steps of the domain name wild-card certificate, which need to be operated according to the server type.

1, Nginx server configuration domain wild-card certificate

upload the downloaded domain name wild-card certificate file and private key file to the specified directory of the Nginx server, usually/usr/local/nginx/conf/ssl/. After that, modify the Nginx configuration file, configure the listening rules of port 443 in the server block, specify the path of the certificate file and the private key file, set the SSL protocol and encryption suite, and finally restart the Nginx service to make the configuration take effect.

2, Apache server configuration domain wild-card certificate

first enable the Apache SSL module, place the domain name wild-card certificate file and private key file into the Apache certificate directory, such as/etc/htpd/conf/ssl/. Then modify the Apache virtual host configuration file, add the virtual host configuration of port 443, specify the SSLCertificateFile, SSLCertificateKeyFile and other parameters to point to the corresponding certificate and private key file, and restart the Apache service to complete the configuration.

4. How to verify and maintain the domain name wild-card certificate after deployment?

complete the configuration of the domain name wild-card certificate, it is also necessary to verify the deployment effect and do daily maintenance to ensure that the certificate continues to be valid.

1, verify the certificate deployment effect

access the main domain name and each second-level subdomain through the browser, check whether the address bar shows the security lock logo, and click the security lock to view the valid period and coverage of the domain name wild-card certificate. You can also use the online SSL detection tool to enter the domain name and obtain a detailed certificate test report to confirm that the certificate configuration is free of vulnerabilities.

2, do a good job in the daily maintenance of the certificate

record the valid period of the domain name wild-card certificate, and complete the certificate renewal operation 30 days in advance to avoid the normal access of the website due to the expiration of the certificate. At the same time, check the server configuration file regularly to ensure that the configuration of the domain name wild-card certificate has not been accidentally modified, and pay attention to the notification of the certificate authority to keep abreast of the certificate policy changes.

sum up, the deployment process of domain name wild-card certificate covers four major links: pre-preparation, certificate application, server configuration and post-maintenance. From confirming domain name authority to completing server-specific configuration, every step requires rigorous operation. Through the operation guide in this article, you can efficiently complete the deployment of domain name wild-card certificate, realize HTTPS encryption of the main domain name and all second-level subdomains, and improve website security and user access experience.