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XProtect Certificates guide

Install Active Directory Certificate Services

Last Updated: 3 minute read
Versionver3
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Active Directory Certificate Services (AD CS) is a Microsoft product that performs public key infrastructure (PKI) functionality. It acts as a Server Role that enables you to construct public key infrastructure (PKI) and give open key cryptography, computerized authentication, and advanced mark abilities for your association.

In this document, AD CS is used when installing certificates:

To install AD CS:

  1. In the Server Manager application, select Manage > Add Roles and Features.

    Open the Server Manager application and choose to add a new Role or Feature.

    Server Manager - Add Roles and Features

  2. In Before you begin, click Next.

  3. In Installation Type, select Role-based or feature-based installation, and click Next.

  4. In Server Selection, select the local server as the destination for the installation, and click Next.

  5. In Server Roles, select the Active Directory Certificate Services role. Review the list of features to install and click Add Features.

    Choose the add the features required to support the Active Directory Certificate Services server role.

    Add Role - AD CS - Add Features

    Click Next.

  6. In Features, click Next. All of the required features are selected for installation.

  7. In AD CS, read the description of the Active Directory Certificated Services, and click Next.

  8. In Role Services, select the following:

    • Certification Authority

    • Certification Enrollment Policy Web Service

    • Certification Enrollment Web Service

    • Certification Authority Web Enrollment

    • Network Device Enrollment Service

    As you select each of the role services, add the required features to support the installation of each service.

    The full list of five role services required to install Active Directory Certificate Services.

    Role Services required for AD CS

    Click Next.

  9. In Confirmation, select Restart the destination server automatically if required, and click Install.

  10. When the installation is done, click the Close button.

    Select the Notification Flag in the Server Manager application.

    After the installation wizard is finished, open the notification flag menu to proceed.

    Installation complete. Notification Flag.

  11. A message to begin post deployment configuration is listed under the Notification Flag.

    Click on the link to begin the configuration of the installed services.

    Click the list in the Post-deployment notification to configure the newly installed roles.

    Post Deployment Configuration Required

  12. The Active Directory Certificate Services configuration wizard starts.

    In Credentials, select the user account required to run the installed services. As indicated in the text, membership in the local administrator and enterprise admin groups is required. Enter the required account information and click Next.

    Choose Local Admin and Enterprise Admin account to run installed services.

    AD CS Configuration Wizard

  13. In Role Services, select the following services:

    • Certification Authority

    • Certification Authority Web Enrollment

    Click Next.

    Choose the CA and CA Web Enrollment roles to configure with a user account.

    Select Roles to Configure

  14. In Setup Type, select the Standalone CA option and click Next.

    Choose to install a Standalone CA.

    Standalone CA

  15. In CA Type, select the option to install a Root CA, and click Next.

    Choose to install a Root CA

    Root CA

  16. In Private Key, select the option to create a new private key, and click Next.

    Select the option to create a new Private Key.

    New Private Key

  17. In Cryptography, select RSA#Microsoft Software Key Storage Provider for the cryptographic provider option with a Key length of 2048, and a hash algorithm of SHA256.

    Click Next.

    Choose the default options for CA cryptography.

    Cryptography Options for CA

  18. In CA Name, enter the name for the CA and click Next.

    By default the name is "localhost-CA" - assuming that the computer name of the local server is "localhost."

    The name of the CA is localhost-CA by default. Change it if you need to.

    Name of the CA

  19. In Validity Period, select the default validity period of 5 years, and click Next.

    Select a validity period for the CA role. 5 years is the default.

    Validity Period

  20. In Certificate Database, enter the locations of the database and log database.

    The default database locations for the certificate store are: C:\Windows\system32\CertLog

    Click Next.

  21. In Confirmation, review the selected configuration options and click Configure to begin the process of configuration.

  22. When the configuration is done, click Close.

    When prompted to configure any additional role services, click No.

  23. Reboot the local server to ensure it is ready to serve as the Active Directory Certificate Server.