Topic awaiting preservation: implementing ssl

hey guys, I've set up a shopping cart and I want to be able to implement ssl within the pages. I did a few searches on the subject matter, but it seems so complicated. I use linux hosting. Can somebody help me understand the steps I need to take to start?

'you use linux hosting' -
now that can mean a lot of things...

a) is this your own server? are you root? if so, what distribution are you running, debian handles the ssl quite differently from most others.

b) it's not your own server... ask your host what ssl solutions they offer, they probably got some kind of proxy, or can get you ssl for one of your domains.

c) if you don't want your users to see a 'invalid certificate' message each time they visit your host, you'll have to buy a certificate (which is tied to a domain, hence
the usual proxy solution by most webhosts).

so fill us in on some facts,
and we'll try to help you out.

Actually if you are being hosted usually there are simply two htdocs directories

httpdocs
httpsdocs

Where https://yourdomain.com goes to the httpsdocs directories and the http://yourdomain.com goes to httpdocs

Otherwise if it's your own server checkout mod_ssl (which may or may not be already installed) for details on configuring Apache



.:[ Never resist a perfect moment ]:.

I'm using a host provider, (a shared server), but in my directorys, when I use ftp, I don't see either folder.... I have a public_html folder . My host uses cpanel as a web administration panel....

Your best bet is to contact your hosting provider. Generally from a developer's persepective the way you implement SSL is basically you have 2 domains, your http domain and your https domain.

When I did this on dreamhost I basically created 2 identical sites one in each "domain"'s directories. Because they are both the same domain you can pass cookies etc between the two in order to maintain a session state, so you don't have to worry about that part. At this point I'd contact your hosting provider to find out how they have this implemented.



.:[ Never resist a perfect moment ]:.

Hey jive,

Your host has a utility in their Web Host Manager (WHM) to set up SSL for you. (WHM is what they ues to set up and manage the CPanel accounts.) Contact them and ask them to generate a Cert Signing Request for you to use when ordering your cert. After you get the cert, just send them a copy and they can install it for you. After it's installed, all you do to use it is call up the page via https:// and you're all set.

I think Rackshack.net still has a good price on GeoTrust certs but their site is having problems this morning so I can't check. I think I paid $29 or $39 for mine.

~Charlie

[edit]The RS site is working again. It's $25/year.[/edit]


[This message has been edited by Piper (edited 10-09-2003).]

Great! I'm actually doing this for a client and he has a reseller account that administrates through WHM. Easy enough. Thanks!

You need to ask your host for the key. They you give it to whoever is providing you with a cert. Then you send it to your host and they should set it up for you.

it shouldn't take more than 5 minutes to set it up.