DirectAdmin Tutorial – Installing SSL Certificate


SSL stands for Secure Socket Layer. It is a network transport layer protocol used to ensure secure transactions between web servers and browsers. The protocol uses a third party, a Certificate Authority (CA), to encrypt the transported data. SSL encryption uses the concept of private key/public key pair, where data encrypted with one key can only be decrypted by the other key belonging to the same pair.

directadmin ssl certificate

This tutorial will depict the procedure of installing SSL Certificate through DirectAdmin hosting control panel. Before we proceed further, please keep in mind that an SSL certificate can only be installed on a website that uses a dedicated IP address.

STEP-1: Scroll down to the ”Advanced Features” section on your DirectAdmin home page. Click on the second line item (Row 2, Column 1) – ”SSL Certificates”.

STEP-2: This is the main interface to manage SSL certificates. By default, the radio button for “Use the server’s certificate” will be activated. To deactivate the default settings and install a new SSL certificate, enable the next radio button.

This line item will have two options to choose from – 1. Create your own self signed certificate, and 2. Create a certificate request. First, you have to create a certificate request, take that request to an SSL certificate vendor and then purchase the same to use it on your site. So select the second option – “Create a certificate request”.

STEP-3: Enter the details of your organization in the designated input boxes. Leave the next part (Paste a pre-generated certificate and key) blank. Scroll down and click on the “Save” button.

STEP-4: It will generate a string of characters wrapped by “—— Begin Certificate Request ———” and “———- End Certificate Request ———-”.

This is the piece of information that you need to provide to an SSL Certificate Vendor on their order form to purchase your certificate. Save this certificate request (string of characters) at a safe place. You would need to use them again.

STEP-5: After purchasing the SSL Certificate, return to the main SSL Certificate interface (STEP-2). Scroll down and enable the radio button for “Paste a pre-generated certificate and key”. You need to provide two things here –

  1. Private Key (Obtained from SSL Vendor)
  2. Certificate Request (Generated by you on STEP-4)

Kindly note the sequence of inputs – first Private Key and then Certificate Request.

Paste the private key obtained from your SSL Certificate Vendor. It would be wrapped by “—- Begin RSA Private Key —-” and “—- End RSA Private Key —-”.

Just below the private key wrapper, you need to copy+paste the certificate request that you had stored at a safe place earlier (STEP-4). Once you have provided your inputs for both, click on the “Save” button to install your new SSL certificate.