SSL Certificate Automated Installation

Shanghai Valley

As of Release 11, FileFlex Enterprise Server supports automated ordering and installation of SSL certificates. 

These certificates are a result of the strategic partnership between SECTIGO (formerly Comodo) and Qnext Corp. 

We have integrated directly with Sectigo for automated provisioning of SSL certificates to ease the configuration of SSL certificates. 

Automated SSL Certificate Provisioning & Installation

Qnext is absorbing the cost of the SSL certificates provisioning for its customers. Therefore it is recommended that you follow the instructions very carefully and try not to abuse the privilege. 

Each order is logged and the system alerts our team when an order is placed. As a professional courtesy, we expect our partners to use the facility with care.  

Pre-Requisites

The automated setup is fairly hands-off provisioned with just a few clicks. 

However, the following is required to successfully complete the process. 

  1. Domain Setup
  2. DNS Setup
  3. Domain validation

Domain Setup

Your FileFlex Enterprise server domain needs to exist and you have to have full control over it. 

DNS Setup

An A record pointing to FileFlex Enterprise server IP Address from the root domain needs to exist. 

Example

Sample domain =                 example.com

FileFlex server external ip = 209.123.321.111 (accessible over the internet)

DNS A Record:                     example.com.     IN     A      209.123.321.111

Note in the above example the root domain is pointing to FileFlex server IP. 

Domain Validation

The purpose of the domain validation is to verify your ownership of the domain. This is an industry-standard for SSL certificate issuing authorities to validate domain ownership. 

Therefore ONLY the ROOT domain is validated, even if you are ordering for a subdomain.

Example

Sample root domain currently serving company website =                                  example.com

Sample subdomain for FileFlex server =                                                                fileflex.example.com

FileFlex server external IP =                                                                                    209.123.321.111 (accessible over the internet)

DNS A Record:                     

example.com.               IN     A      209.123.321.111

fileflex.example.com.    IN     A      209.123.321.111

Note in the above example root domain is pointing to the same IP as the FileFlex server IP. 

For the validation of domain ownership to work successfully, you have to temporarily point ROOT Domain i.e. example.com to the FileFlex server. 

NOTE: The requirement to point the ROOT domain to FileFlex server IP is temporary, after successful provisioning of the SSL certificate, the ROOT domain can be pointed back to the original IP. 

Ordering Process

STEP 1 Click Order Now ButtonSTEP 2 Click Order Now on the dialogue box

STEP 3 Fill in Certificate Signing Request (CSR) details and Click NextSTEP 4 FINAL STEP - Validate the details are accurate and click Submit


Your domain is ready for validation. At this point before submitting make sure the ROOT domain points to FileFlex server IP.
Video of Automated SSL Certificate Deployment

Manual SSL Certificate Upload & Installation

We have retained the manual certificate upload method of installing SSL certificates to allow for edge cases where the automated installation fails for any reason OR if the customer prefers to use their existing SSL certificates.

Reissue or replace SSL Certificate

The reissue is a feature supported by the SSL certification authority. 

When to Replace and Reissue an SSL Certificate:

  • Change domain server
  • Add or remove a domain (multi-domain certificate)
  • Change company's domain or add a domain
  • Change company's registered name, address or phone number
  • Have revoked a certificate due to security breach, and want to issue new one

Replacing/reissuing can be done an unlimited number of times until the term purchased for the SSL Certificate expires.


Renew SSL Certificate

The SSL certificate can be renewed 30 days before expiry. 

This renew button becomes available (enabled) 30 days before the SSL certificate expires.