IBM Cloud SSL Installation Guide with Easy Steps
Securing your website with an SSL certificate is crucial for building trust with visitors and customers. An SSL certificate encrypts the data transmitted between a web server and a browser, protecting sensitive information like passwords and payment details.
IBM Cloud provides a simple way to add SSL certificates to your websites and applications hosted on their platform. Whether you purchase a certificate from IBM or use a third-party certificate, the installation process is straightforward.
In this comprehensive guide, we will walk through the step-by-step process of installing an SSL certificate on IBM Cloud.
Key Takeaways
- SSL certificates encrypt data transmission between a server and a browser to secure websites. They build trust and are essential for ecommerce sites.
- You can purchase SSL certificates directly from IBM Cloud or upload third-party certificates. The main options are single-domain, wildcard, and multi-domain certificates.
- To install a certificate on IBM Cloud, navigate to the SSL certificates page in the console, provide a name, upload the certificate files, and assign the Certificate to domains/apps.
- SSL certificates are auto renewed on IBM Cloud. You can manually renew certificates as needed and manage multiple certificates from the console.
- After installing an SSL certificate, you must remap HTTP to HTTPS traffic either using IBM Cloud’s option or manually editing configuration files.
- SSL certificates must be renewed before expiration to avoid browser errors and loss of trust from visitors. Setting renewal reminders ensures your Certificate stays valid.
Prerequisites Before Installing an SSL Certificate on IBM Cloud
Before installing an SSL certificate on IBM Cloud, there are a few prerequisites that you should ensure are in place. Here’s a detailed explanation of each prerequisite:
- Verify domain ownership and ensure proper DNS configuration.
- Generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) for your domain.
- Choose a trusted Certificate Authority (CA) to purchase the SSL certificate from.
- Purchase an SSL certificate from the selected CA, providing the generated CSR.
- Obtain the necessary SSL certificate files from the CA after validation and approval.
- Ensure you have an active IBM Cloud account with the required permissions.
- Verify that your IBM Cloud service or application supports SSL certificate installation.
6 Easy Steps to Install SSL Certificate in IBM Cloud
- Purchase or Prepare your SSL Certificate
- Navigate to the SSL Certificates Page
- Provide a Name and Upload Certificate
- Assign the SSL Certificate to a Domain
- Configure HTTPS Traffic
- Verify SSL Certificate Installation
Step 1: Purchase or Prepare your SSL Certificate
The first step is to purchase an SSL certificate or prepare a third-party certificate for upload. Here are the options:
Purchase from IBM Cloud
- Log into your IBM Cloud account.
- From the menu, go to Network > SSL Certificates.
- Click Order SSL Certificates.
- Select the type of Certificate you need and click Configure.
- Enter your domain names and complete the order.
Use Third-Party Certificate
- Purchase an SSL certificate from any trusted CA like DigiCert, GoDaddy, etc.
- Make sure you have the certificate files: Certificate, private key, and intermediate certificates (if any).
- The files should have the extensions .crt, .key, etc.
- Keep these files ready for upload.
Once you have purchased or prepared your SSL certificate, we can move on to installing it on IBM Cloud.
Step 2: Navigate to the SSL Certificates Page
To install an SSL certificate, you need to access the SSL certificates page in the IBM Cloud console:
- Log into the IBM Cloud Dashboard.
- From the menu bar at the top, click on Network.
- Under the Security section, click on SSL Certificates.
This will open the SSL certificates page, which will show any existing certificates and options for adding new ones.
Step 3: Provide a Name and Upload Certificate
On the SSL certificates page, click on Add Certificate to start the process.
You need to provide the following:
- Certificate Name: Enter a name to identify this Certificate within your IBM Cloud account.
- Certificate File: Upload the .crt certificate file supplied by your CA.
- Private Key: Upload the private key file associated with the Certificate.
- Intermediate Certificates: If your CA provided any intermediate certificate files, upload them here.
- Finally, click Add to upload and install the SSL certificate.
Step 4: Assign the SSL Certificate to a Domain
Once the SSL certificate is installed on IBM Cloud, you need to assign it to the domain(s) you wish to secure.
- From the SSL certificates page, click on the newly added Certificate.
- Scroll down and click Add Domains.
- Enter the domain name(s) you wish to assign the Certificate to.
- Click Add Domains.
The domain name will now be shown under the certificate details. This completes the assignment process.
You can assign the same SSL certificate to multiple domains on IBM Cloud. To do so, repeat the process for any additional domains.
Step 5: Configure HTTPS Traffic
By default, your website will still run on HTTP until you configure it to redirect traffic over HTTPS using the SSL certificate.
There are two options to do this:
Option 1: Use IBM Cloud’s HTTPS Traffic Management
- From the SSL certificate page, click on the menu button next to your domain.
- Select Manage HTTPS traffic.
- Choose the option to redirect HTTP to HTTPS traffic.
- Save the changes.
- Open the domain or application configuration file.
- Add a rewrite rule to redirect HTTP to HTTPS traffic.
- Restart the webserver to apply the changes.
This will enforce HTTPS across your domain or application.
Either option will ensure all traffic is served over HTTPS using your SSL certificate.
Step 6: Verify SSL Certificate Installation
To confirm everything is working correctly, open your website URL in a browser and check for the following:
- The URL begins with HTTPS instead of HTTP.
- A Tune icon is shown in the address bar.
- Your site loads without any certificate errors.
You can also use an SSL testing tool, such as the SSL Checker Tool, to analyze your certificate installation and site security.
Checking these items confirms your certificate is properly installed and secures your website traffic.
Managing SSL Certificates on IBM Cloud
Once an SSL certificate is installed, you can continue to manage it directly from the IBM Cloud console:
- View Details: See information on expiration, issuance, domains, etc.
- Renew Certificates: Certificates auto-renew, but you can manually renew.
- Reissue Certificates: Generate new certificate files while retaining the existing private key.
- Delete Certificates: Remove certificates you no longer need.
- Add/Remove Domains: Assign certificates to additional domains or remove existing ones.
- Order New Certificates: Purchase additional SSL certificates.
SSL Certificate Renewal and Expiration
It’s crucial to renew your SSL certificates before they expire. Otherwise, your website will start showing browser errors and warnings.
- SSL certificates have an expiration date set by the certificate authority, usually 1-2 years from issuance.
- IBM Cloud will automatically renew certificates that are nearing expiration. However, you can manually renew certificates at any time.
- Browsers like Chrome and Firefox will display warnings if a certificate is expired, damaging trust.
- To avoid any downtime, renew certificates at least one month prior to the expiration date.
Troubleshooting Common SSL Certificate Issues
There are a few common issues that can come up when installing and managing SSL certificates on IBM Cloud:
Browser Warning Messages
If you see browser errors like “Your connection is not private” or “SSL certificate error,” there is likely an issue with the certificate installation.
Some things to check:
- Verify the Certificate is properly installed on the IBM Cloud side, assigned to the correct domain, and redirects HTTP traffic to HTTPS.
- Confirm the certificate files match the private key and contain the full certificate chain if intermediates are required.
- Check that the Certificate is not expired and matches the domain name you are accessing.
- Clear your browser cache/history and restart your browser to eliminate caching issues.
Certificate Not Installing
If your SSL certificate is not uploading to IBM Cloud, make sure:
- The Certificate and private key are in the supported file formats, such as .crt and .key.
- You have uploaded the full certificate bundle, including intermediates, if required.
- The current user has permission to install SSL certificates for your IBM Cloud account.
- There is no file size or domain limit for the Certificate you are uploading.
HTTP Traffic Not Redirecting
If HTTP requests are not redirecting to HTTPS, verify that:
- The Certificate is assigned to the domains to which you want to be redirected.
- IBM Cloud’s HTTPS traffic management is properly configured, and your Nginx/Apache rewrite rules are correct.
- Any CDNs or proxy services have also been updated to redirect HTTP to HTTPS.
- Browser caching does not serve an old HTTP version of the site; clear cache.
Checking these common issues will help identify and fix any problems with your SSL certificate installation.
Best Practices for IBM Cloud SSL Certificates
To ensure the best results when using SSL certificates on IBM Cloud, follow these recommended best practices:
- Use strong 2048+ bit encryption: Select certificates with 2048-bit or higher encryption keys for optimal security.
- Keep certificates updated: Renew certificates before expiration and replace old certificates promptly to maintain security.
- Automate renewals: Use IBM Cloud’s auto-renewal option or scripts to automate certificate renewals when expiration dates are near.
- Enable HTTP to HTTPS redirection: Redirect all HTTP traffic to HTTPS using IBM Cloud tools or web server rewrite rules.
- Use dedicated IP addresses: Attach dedicated IP addresses to cloud resources that use SSL certificates for simplicity.
- Manage multiple environments: Use distinct certificates for production and non-production environments for better security segmentation.
- Monitor expirations: Track certificates in a spreadsheet or dashboard and set calendar reminders for upcoming renewals.
- Name certificates descriptively: Use naming conventions to identify a certificate’s domains, environment, expiration date, etc.
Final Thoughts
Obtaining and installing an SSL certificate on IBM Cloud involves purchasing a certificate from a trusted provider, adding a custom domain to your IBM Cloud application, uploading the SSL files to IBM Cloud, mapping the custom domain to your application, and enforcing HTTPS to direct traffic over SSL.
Following these steps allows you to enable encrypted HTTPS connections to your IBM Cloud apps, securing sensitive customer data transmitted between the browser and your application.
Utilizing SSL on IBM Cloud demonstrates a commitment to security and builds customer trust in your application.
Frequently Asked Questions
What types of SSL certificates can I use on IBM Cloud?
You can purchase single-domain, wildcard, and multi-domain SSL certificates directly from IBM Cloud. You can also upload third-party certificates purchased from any trusted certificate authority.
Where do I obtain my SSL certificate files?
If using an IBM Cloud certificate, the .crt and .key files are the company-issued Certificate. For third-party certificates, download the Certificate, private key, and any intermediate files from the certificate authority.
How do I know when my SSL certificates will expire?
The expiration date is displayed in the certificate details on the SSL certificates page in IBM Cloud. You can also view expirations by downloading the certificates and checking them on your computer.
What happens if my SSL certificate expires?
Once an SSL certificate expires, browsers will display warnings and errors when visiting your site over HTTPS, damaging visitors’ trust. Renew certificates at least one month before expiration.
Can I use the same SSL certificate for staging and production?
It’s best practice to use separate dedicated certificates for staging/testing environments and production for better security segmentation.
How can I automate SSL certificate renewals on IBM Cloud?
For IBM Cloud-issued certificates, you can enable auto-renewal on the SSL certificates page. For third-party certificates, use scripts or automation tools to renew certificates programmatically.
Where do I assign my SSL certificates to domain names?
When uploading a new certificate, you assign domains under the “Add domains” section. You can also add/remove domains from the SSL certificates page after certificate installation.
How do I redirect HTTP traffic to HTTPS?
Use the Manage HTTPS Traffic option on IBM Cloud’s SSL certificate page. Alternatively, add rewrite rules to your application’s Nginx or Apache configs to redirect HTTP to HTTPS.
Priya Mervana
Verified Web Security Experts
Priya Mervana is working at SSLInsights.com as a web security expert with over 10 years of experience writing about encryption, SSL certificates, and online privacy. She aims to make complex security topics easily understandable for everyday internet users.
