Install Wildcard SSL Certificate on Apache Web Server – Quick Guide

Instructional Guide on How to Install Wildcard SSL Certificate in Your Apache Server

Having a Wildcard SSL certificate installed is different from the standard single-domain SSL certificate. But it’s not entirely different as here also you’re required to go through specific processes that are similar to other types of SSL certificates. However, certain steps are different.

So, if you’re looking for how to install Wildcard SSL certificate, especially on Apache webserver, then keep reading as we’re covering the step-by-step installation process to make it easier for you.

Here’s How to Install Wildcard SSL Certificate in Apache Server

We’re assuming you’ve already purchased wildcard SSL certificate, which has been issued to you. Henceforth, you’ll need to save the private key onto your Apache server, which is usually generated when you’re generating CSR.

Let’s get into detail and find out what are the steps for installing the Wildcard SSL certificate onto your Apache webserver.

• Open Apache’s configuration file using a text editor such as Notepad or Notepad++. (The config file is often kept in /etc/httpd.)

• Once you found and open the configuration file, look for <VirtualHost>. Likewise, you’ll require to change your port from 80 to 443. Use the below code for the same:

<VirtualHost 192.168.0.1:443> 
DocumentRoot /var/www/website 
ServerName www.domain.com 
SSLEngine on 
SSLCertificateFile /etc/ssl/crt/primary.crt 
SSLCertificateKeyFile /etc/ssl/crt/private.key 
SSLCertificateChainFile /etc/ssl/crt/intermediate.crt 
</VirtualHost>

• Change is made within the code to reflect the change onto your website’s information along with the files and paths associated with your issued Wildcard SSL certificate and intermediate certificate (also known as ChainFile field).

• Once the change is done in a code, close the text editor.

• Now, restart your Apache webserver using below mentioned commands:

/usr/local/apache/bin/apachectl startssl
/usr/local/apache/bin/apachectl restart

People often think it’s a Wildcard SSL certificate, so you’ll require to do some special configuration, but that’s not true. Whether it’s an Apache webserver or any other, SSL certificates are read similarly by the servers, and the server will get to know if the Comodo PositiveSSL Wildcard or Comodo EssentialSSL Wildcard certificate is valid for associated sub-domains along with the hostname or not.

Read Also: How to Install Wildcard SSL Certificate on IIS 7 or 8 Windows Server

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