Setting up SSL on IBM i

This process will guide you through setting up the Digital Certificate Manager to enable your iSeries to interact as a client to other external servers requiring SSL connections, including CyberSource.

Step 1: Enter Digital Certificate Manager

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To begin, verify that the *ADMIN HTTP server job is running with the following command:

WRKSBSJOB SBS(QHTTPSVR)

If you don't see *ADMIN in the list, please run the following command to start it:

STRTCPSVR SERVER(*HTTP) HTTPSVR(*ADMIN)

After you've ensured that the *ADMIN server is running, open a web browser (Internet Explorer is recommended), and go to http://YourIBMIPAddress:2001 - you should see a login page as seen below:

Navigator for i login page at port 2001

Enter your IBM i username and password, and click "Log in". You should see a page split into two sections - a menu on the left, and a larger content area on the right that looks like the below image:

Navigator for i welcome page showing the left-hand task menu

Click the "IBM i Tasks Page" link.

Navigator IBM i Tasks page with Digital Certificate Manager link

Now, click the "Digital Certificate Manager" link. You may be prompted to log in again - if you are, enter your IBM i username and password. It is recommended to log into the Digital Certificate Manager on a profile with elevated authority.

Step 2: Create New Certificate Store

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Select the link "Create New Certificate Store"

Digital Certificate Manager showing certificate store type selection with *SYSTEM highlighted

Ensure *SYSTEM is selected, and then select the "Continue" button. *Note: if SYSTEM does not appear, this process has likely already been completed on your IBM i.

Digital Certificate Manager - Create New Certificate Store showing certificate store type selection with *SYSTEM selected

Step 3: Select Yes

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Select "Yes", and then press the "Continue" button.

Digital Certificate Manager asking whether to create a certificate in the new certificate store, with Yes selected

Step 4: Finish Entering Data

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Put anything you want in the "Certificate label" field. Then, specify a "Password", and record it for future reference. Fill out the remaining fields, populating them with whatever data is necessary, and then select the "Continue" button.

Digital Certificate Manager - Create New Certificate Store form with fields for certificate label, password, and certificate information

Step 5: Store Certificate Key

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Cut and paste the below certificate key into a text editor (like Notepad) and save it someplace secure. Select the "OK" button.

Digital Certificate Manager showing the generated certificate request data to be saved

Step 6: Ensure Proper Configuration

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Selecting the "Select a Certificate Store" button at the top of the left sidebar will place you at the below screen. Make sure *SYSTEM is selected, and select the "Continue" button.

Digital Certificate Manager - Select a Certificate Store with *SYSTEM selected

Enter the password you specified in Step 4, and select the Continue button. Note: If you ever forget the password, you can simply select "Reset Password" - you will be allowed to reset the password without knowing the previous password.

Digital Certificate Manager - Certificate Stores and Password screen with the certificate store password field highlighted

If your page looks like below, you have successfully set up SSL on your IBM i!

Digital Certificate Manager - Current Certificate Store showing *SYSTEM successfully configured