How to Generate CSR for Microsoft Lync Server 2013

As a Windows user, you face the same online security threats that fellow users face on other platforms. But the good news is that you can keep yourself safe from online threats by installing an SSL certificate on your system. Before you enjoy the benefits of an SSL certificate, you need to install it on your Microsoft Lync 2013 server. But just like all the other server systems, you need to install your SSL certificate on the same server, in which you have generated CSR (Certificate Signing Request). The reason is, relevant private key remains on the server on which you have generated CSR.

If you haven’t purchased SSL certificate already, then you can check different types of SSL certificates along with their pricing information.

As stated above, this post will guide you overall procedure of installation process that will cover the installation of the CSR and the SSL certificate. Keep on reading to learn more.

Before beginning, take note of this:

Keep all your private key files secret
Use a secure method of transferring your private key to other servers if you plan to use a single SSL certificate on several servers. It is safer to avoid emails when doing the transfer
Generate a CSR before installing the certificate
After installing the certificate, run an SSL server test to ensure your configurations are okay

How to Generate a CSR for Lync Server 2013

In Windows start menu, click on the Lync Deployment Wizard icon

Click on the Install or Update Lync Server system

Click Run on the Request, Install, or Assign certificates step

Click on Request button to create CSR

Click on the Next button

Select Prepare the Request Now, but send it Later (offline certificate request)

Click on Browse button to specify the full path and file name for the CSR file that you want to generate.

Click on Next button, Specify Alternate Certificate Template, which is not necessary for Public Trust CA.

Fill in a suitable name for the certificate. Make sure the Bit Length is 2048. Mark the private key as exportable if you have several computers in your network and then click Next

Enter the legal name of your organization and Organizational Unit, then Click Next

Fill in your Country, State, and City before clicking Next

The Common Name (CN) and Subject Alternative Names (SAN) will automatically pop up before clicking Next

Check the box on SIP configured domains to add a sip.<sipdomain> entry to the “SIP domain setting on subject alternative names list” wizard and then click Next

OPTIONAL: On the Configure Additional Subject Alternate Names page, specify other necessary SANs if you need to add, then click the Next button

Now, you can see Certificate Request Summary screen, you need to check information is accurate or not before clicking Next button

On the Executing Commands page, confirm if the Task Status is “completed” before clicking Next

On the Certificate Request File page, click View CSR file before copying the text and enter it into the order form. Click Finish to close the Certificate Request File window.

CSR file will look like as screen shot below:

As above mentioned simple steps, you will have generated your CSR ready. Now, you can order SSL certificate of your choice.

Follow the Next step to install SSL certificate on Microsoft Lync Server 2013.

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