Vmware vcenter server appliance web console

Configuring SSL Certificates for vSphere Web Console on vCenter Server Appliance

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This article provides step-by-step instructions for securing your vSphere environment by configuring an SSL certificate for the web console of a vCenter Server Appliance (VCSA). Follow these steps to ensure that only authorized users can access your VCSA and protect sensitive data.

Prerequisites:

--------------

- Ensure you have already deployed and properly configured your VCSA.

- Familiarize yourself with basic Linux command-line operations, as well as the use of tools such as Putty (or equivalent SSH client) and WinSCP for secure file transfer.

Step 1: Generate Certificate Signing Request (CSR)

---------------------------------------------

To generate a CSR request:

1. Connect to your VCSA via vSphere Client or vCenter Web Interface.

2. Navigate to Home > Inventory > vcenter > Edit > Configuration > General > Secure Lockdown Files

3. Click on the pencil icon next to 'Generate Certificate Signing Request'

4. Follow the wizard prompts and save the CSR file locally.

Step 2: Obtain Signed SSL Certificates

------------------------------

1. Submit your generated CSR request to a trusted certificate authority (CA) or internal CA for signing.

2. Download the signed certificate files (.crt, .ca-chain.crt, and optionally .key depending on your deployment requirements).

Step 3: Upload Certificate Files

-----------------------------

Upload the received signed certificates to your VCSA:

1. Connect via SSH using a tool like Putty with root privileges:

```

ssh -p 22 'FQDN/IP' username:password

```

2. Navigate to the correct directory for certificate management (usually `/etc/ssl/certs`):

```bash

cd /etc/ssl/

sudo mkdir certs

```

3. Transfer all three files (.crt, .ca-chain.crt, and optionally .key) from your local machine using `scp` or equivalent:

```

scp -p /root@FQDN:/var/lib/vmware/wcp/srv/ssl/rui/

```

Step 4: Import Signed Certificate

------------------------------

1. Navigate to the vCenter appliance web console via a modern browser at https://:5480.

2. Log in with your root credentials (default is `root` and the password you set during deployment).

3. Click on Manage > Settings

4. Select 'Security' from the left-hand menu

5. Scroll down to 'SSL certificate'

6. Click on 'Import Certificate'

7. Upload both the signed certificates (.crt) files that were downloaded earlier (not including any intermediate CA chain or private key files)

8. Follow the wizard prompts and click Finish

Step 5: Restart vCenter Services

------------------------------

After importing the new SSL certificate, restart all vCenter services to apply changes:

1. Log in to your VCSA via SSH with root privileges:

```

ssh -p 22 'FQDN/IP' username:password

```

2. Run the following command to force a full service restart and ensure all components are updated with the new certificate:

```bash

/etc/vmware/sfc/bin/ovftool --skip-ssl-validation /path/to/template.vib vmware-stx-vcenter-server-appliance--OES07.iso -acceptEULA yes -v6 -t ESXi66 -n vcsa-template

```

Step 6: Verify SSL Configuration (Optional)

---------------------------------------------

If you ever wonder what ports were selected for either a vCenter Server or Platform Services Controller, follow these steps to find out:

1. Log in to your VCSA via SSH with root privileges:

```

ssh -p 22 'FQDN/IP' username:password

```

2. Run the following command to list all active services and their respective ports (use `netstat` on older systems):

```bash

service --status-all | grep vpxd|grep -v 'not'

```

3. Note down or copy these port numbers for future reference.

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By completing these steps, you have successfully secured your VCSA's web console with a custom SSL certificate and ensured only authorized users can access it. Remember to regularly update your certificates as they approach expiration dates to maintain the highest level of security for your vSphere environment.

Additional Resources:

- VMware Knowledge Base (KB) articles related to securing vCenter Server Appliance:

- 'KB ': Securing vCenter Server and ESXi hosts with a third-party certificate authority - 'KB ': How to configure the vcenter server to use an external CA signed SSL certificates for its management interfaces

For more information on managing VCSA, refer to VMware's official documentation: https://docs.vmware.com/en/VMware-vCenter-Server-Appliance.html

Vmware vcenter server appliance web console