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Chapter 11
Security Options
4. Save and close the
records.config
file.
5. Restart Traffic Server using the command
start_traffic_server
Traffic Server and origin server connections
Figure 11-2. illustrates communication between Traffic Server and an origin server when the SSL termination
option is enabled for Traffic Server /origin server connections.
Figure 11-3. Traffic Server and origin server communication using SSL termination
To configure Traffic Server to use the SSL termination option for Traffic Server and origin server connections:
•
Obtain and install an SSL client certificate from a recognized certificate authority (such as VeriSign). The
SSL client certificate contains information that allows Traffic Server to authenticate the origin server and
exchange secret encryption keys.
The client certificate is optional. If you do not install an SSL client certificate, you must use a certification
authority (CA).
•
Set configuration variables in the
records.config
file to:
o
Enable the SSL termination option
o
Set the port number used for SSL communication
o
Specify the filename and location of the SSL client certificate (if you choose to use a client certificate)
o
Specify the file name and location of the Traffic Server’s private key (if the private key is not located
in the client certificate file)
Traffic Server uses its private key during the SSL handshake to decrypt the session encryption keys.
The private key must be stored and protected against theft.
o
Configure the use of CAs. You must use a CA if you choose not to use a client certificate, otherwise,
security on your system may be compromised.
CAs allows the Traffic Server that is acting as a client to verify the identity of the server with which it
is communicating and to exchange secret encryption keys.
origin server
If a client request is a cache miss or is stale, Traffic Server sends an HTTPS request for the content to the
origin server. The origin server receives the request and performs the SSL handshake to authenticate
Traffic Server and to determine the encryption method to be used.
If SSL termination is enabled for client /Traffic Server connections, Traffic Server re-encrypts the content and
sends it to the client via HTTPS, where it is decrypted and displayed.
If SSL termination is not enabled for client/Traffic Server connections, Traffic Server sends the plain text version
of the content to the client via HTTP.
1
3
2
If Traffic Server is allowed access, the origin server encrypts the content and sends it to Traffic Server,
where it is decrypted (using the method determined during the handshake) and the plain text version of
the content saved in the cache.
HTTPS request
Encrypted secure connection
Traffic
Server
1
2
Client
3
Encrypted secure connection
OR
HTTP connection (plain text)