Netscape NETSCAPE MANAGEMENT SYSTEM 4.5, Installation And Setup Manual

Page: 461 / 866

Certificate Setup Wizard
Chapter 14 Managing CMS Keys and Certificates 461
• The key pair for generating the certificate request—you can choose to generate
the certificate request based on an existing or a new key pair.
❍
If you want to renew the certificate you selected in the previous step, use
the existing key pair for generating the request. For example, you can
extend the validity period of a certificate by renewing it.
To generate a certificate request based on an existing key pair, select the
token that contains the key pair you want to use for generating the request.
The wizard automatically selects the key pair that corresponds to the
certificate you chose in the previous step.
❍
If you want a new certificate, use a new key pair for generating the request.
For example, you may want to get a new SSL server certificate or may want
to replace an existing certificate whose private key has been compromised.
To generate a certificate request based on a new key pair, select the token
that can generate the key pair you want to use for generating the request.
For example, if you want to generate the key pair using an external
cryptographic device, such as a smart card, select that as the token. In
addition, you will be required to indicate details, such as the key algorithm
and size for the key pair.
• The type and length of the key pair—you are required to provide this
information only if you chose to generate the certificate request based on a new
key pair. For key type, you can choose RSA or DSA. Be sure to select a key type
that the CA (to which you will later submit the request for signing) can certify.
For key length, enter the size in bits.
❍
If the key type is RSA, the key size can be 512, 1024, 2048, 4098, or custom.
❍
If the key type is DSA, the key size can be 512, 1024, or custom (must be in
increments of 64 bit).
Keep in mind that generating a new key pair takes time—the longer the key
length the longer the time the wizard takes to generate it.