Summary

Discover the convenience of multi-term Entrust certificates and whether they require uploading a new Certificate Signing Request (CSR) annually. Learn how the CSR process works and its relevance to the renewal process, ensuring seamless SSL/TLS protection for your server connections.

Multi-term Entrust certificates offer extended SSL/TLS protection for your server, spanning multiple years. If you’re considering this option, you might wonder whether an annual upload of a new Certificate Signing Request (CSR) is necessary. This article will look at multi-term Entrust certificates, explore the CSR's role, and clarify the renewal process.

Understanding Multi-Term Entrust Certificates

Multi-term Entrust certificates are SSL/TLS certificates that cover an extended validity period, often spanning multiple years. These certificates offer convenience by eliminating the need to renew and upload a new certificate annually.

Do You Need to Upload a New CSR Every Year for Your Entrust Certificate?

The short answer is “no” so long as you purchase a multi-year term.

The process of uploading a new Certificate Signing Request (CSR) annually largely depends on the type of certificate you have:

Single-Year Certificate: If you have a standard single-year certificate, you will need to renew and generate a new CSR each year to maintain continuous SSL/TLS protection. This involves generating a fresh CSR, purchasing a new certificate, and installing it on your server.

Multi-Year (Multi-Term) Certificate: In contrast, multi-term Entrust certificates, often spanning three or more years, do not require uploading a new CSR annually. When you purchase a multi-term certificate, the CSR is generated only once during the initial request and installation process. The certificate remains valid for the specified multi-year period, and you don't need to regenerate a CSR each year.

The Role of Certificate Signing Request (CSR) in Multi-Term Entrust Certificates

The Certificate Signing Request (CSR) plays a crucial role in obtaining SSL/TLS certificates for your server. During the initial purchase of your multi-term Entrust certificate, you generate a CSR containing your server's public key and essential identification data. This CSR is submitted to the Certificate Authority (CA) , such as Entrust, to create a unique certificate specifically for your domain.

Renewing a Multi-Term Entrust Certificate

With multi-term Entrust certificates, the renewal process is simplified:

Approaching Expiration: As your multi-term certificate approaches its expiration date (for example, after three years), it's time to plan for renewal.

CSR Regeneration (Optional): While multi-term certificates do not require generating a new CSR annually, you may choose to regenerate a CSR for renewal purposes if necessary (for example, to update server details).

Certificate Renewal: Initiate the renewal process with the Certificate Authority (Entrust). The CA will issue a renewed certificate, typically based on your existing CSR.

Certificate Installation: Install the renewed certificate on your server, effectively replacing the old one. This step ensures your server continues to use a valid SSL/TLS certificate, maintaining secure connections.

Multi-term Entrust certificates offer an efficient and hassle-free solution for securing your server over extended periods. With no requirement to upload a new CSR every year, the renewal process is simplified, providing continuous SSL/TLS protection for your online operations. Always refer to the specific instructions provided by the Certificate Authority (Entrust) for seamless renewal of your multi-term certificate.