Server Authentication

For server authentication, the server requires a valid certificate with the following properties:

  • Type X509

  • Suitable for Server Authentication

  • Associated private key

  • Stored in the Personal or My certificate store for the service account used by the TN3270 service

  • By default, a TN3270 server will look for a certificate with a Common Name (CN) matching the host name of the computer running the TN3270 server. This default can be changed by using a registry entry. For details, see Changing the Default Server Authentication Certificate Common Name (CN).

    This certificate will be sent to the client as part of the handshake negotiation when the connection is established. For the client to accept the certificate:

  • The certificate (and its issuing chain) must be current (for example, not outside of its valid dates).

  • The issuing chain must lead to a certification authority (CA) that appears in the clients Trusted Root CA List.

  • The certificate (or any part of its issuing chain) should not appear on a certificate revocation list (CRL) of its issuer.

  • Most clients offer strict certificate checking, which if selected, will reject connections if the server certificates common name does not match its host name.

Note

If the certificate on the server is changed, the TN3270 server must be stopped and restarted.

See Also

Client Authentication
Obtaining and Creating Certificates