User's Guide

Certificate Types
Every AirDefense appliance comes with an AirDefense certificate. However, there are three other
certificates available; each represents a dierent level of security.
• Self-signed certificate
• Root-signed certificate
• SSL certificate.
The following table describes each of the certificate types:
Certificate Description
AirDefense Certificate The AirDefense certificate represents a minimal level of security.
AirDefense ships the AirDefense appliance with a pre-installed
security certificate. It is a working certificate that provides TLS
encryption, but has not been verified and digitally signed by a root
Certificate Authority (CA). The host name identified in the
certificate will not match the actual host name of your AirDefense
appliance.
Unless the certificate meets all required criteria, you will receive one
or more alert screens when you open a session with AirDefense.
Self-Signed Certificate A self-signed certificate represents an intermediate level of security.
A self-signed certificate (also called Tomcat Certificate) is a
certificate that you must generate. In this certificate, you specify the
host name of the AirDefense Server, but do not have the certificate
verified and digitally signed by a root Certificate Authority.
Unless the certificate meets all required criteria, you will receive one
or more alert screens when you open a session with AirDefense.
Root-Signed Certificate A root-signed certificate represents a high level of security.
A root-signed certificate is a public certificate that is verified by a
root Certificate Authority (CA). This is a digitally-signed certificate
that ensures the authenticity of the AirDefense Server.
SSL Certificate A SSL certificate represents the highest level of security.
SSL certificates create a secure connection between a client and a
server. The client is usually a web browser transmitting private
information over the Internet. The URL for SSL connections start
with https:// instead of http://.
View Certificates
There are two panels in the Certificates window. The left panel lists your current certificates. When you
select (highlight) a certificate by clicking on it, information for that certificate is displayed in the right
panel. The following information is available:
• Alias name
• Creation date
• Certificate details that include:
◦ Certificate number
◦ Owner information
◦ Issuer information
◦ Serial number
Configuration
Certificate Manager
Extreme AirDefense User Guide for version 10.5. 117