This step-by-step example deployment, which uses a Windows Server 2003 certification authority (CA), contains procedures that guide you through the process of creating and deploying the public key infrastructure (PKI) certificates that Configuration Manager 2007 requires to operate in native mode. Native mode offers the highest level of security for a Configuration Manager 2007 site, and it is a requirement for Internet-based client management. For more information about native mode in Configuration Manager, see Benefits of Using Native Mode.

The procedures in this example refer to a Microsoft PKI solution, using an enterprise certification authority (CA) and certificate templates. The steps are appropriate for a test network only, as a proof of concept.

Because there is no single method of deployment for the required certificates, you will need to consult your particular PKI deployment documentation for the necessary procedures and best practices to deploy the required certificates for a production environment. For more information about the possible deployment methods, see Deploying the PKI Certificates Required for Native Mode.

Note
The use of a Microsoft PKI solution is recommended to support Configuration Manager 2007, but it is not required. Configuration Manager 2007 uses standard PKI certificates, supporting version 3 of the x.509 certificate format. If your existing PKI deployment can create, deploy, and manage the certificates that Configuration Manager 2007 requires for native mode, you can use your existing PKI infrastructure. Consult your PKI documentation for deployment details.

In This Section

This example contains the following sections, which cover creating and deploying the basic certificates that are required for a Configuration Manager 2007 site to operate in native mode for intranet connectivity:

Test Network Requirements

Overview

Deploying the Site Server Signing Certificate

Deploying the Web Server Certificate

Deploying the Client Certificate

Test Network Requirements

The example has the following requirements:

  • The test network is running Active Directory Domain Services with Microsoft Windows Server 2003, and it is installed as a single domain, single forest.

  • You have a domain controller running Windows Server 2003 Enterprise Edition, Service Pack 1, which has the following items installed on it:

    • Group Policy Management Console

    • Internet Information Services (IIS)

    • Certificate Services installed as an enterprise root certification authority (CA)

    Note
    Ensure IIS is installed before installing Certificate Services so that Web enrollment is configured.
  • You have one computer that has Windows Server 2003 (Standard Edition or Enterprise Edition) Service Pack 1 installed on it and designated as a member server, and you have Internet Information Services (IIS) installed on it.

  • You have one Windows Professional XP client with the latest service pack installed, and this computer is configured with a computer name that comprises ASCII characters and it is joined to the domain.

  • You can log in with a root domain administrator account or an enterprise domain administrator account and use this account for all procedures in this example deployment.

Note
The Group Policy Management Console (GPMC) is the recommended add-on for managing Group Policy in Active Directory Domain Services. For more information on GPMC and to download the latest version, see the Web page "Enterprise Management with the Group Policy Management Console" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=79386).

Overview

PKI certificates must be installed prior to installing Configuration Manager 2007 in native mode. This example does not include installing and configuring Configuration Manager 2007, but it provides the steps to provision computers with the certificates they require to operate in Configuration Manager 2007 native mode.

The following table lists the three types of PKI certificates that are required and describes how they are used in a native mode Configuration Manager 2007 site:

Certificate Requirement Certificate Description

Site server signing certificate

This certificate is installed on the server that will be the Configuration Manager 2007 site server. It is used to sign client policies.

Web server certificate

This certificate is installed on servers that will be Configuration Manager 2007 site systems, with roles such as the management point and distribution point. It is used to encrypt data and authenticate the server to clients.

Client certificate

This certificate is installed on computers that will be Configuration Manager 2007 clients, and on the management point. It is used to authenticate the client to site systems, and on the management point it is used to monitor the server's health.

For more information about the certificates, see Certificate Requirements for Native Mode.

Follow the steps in this example to achieve the following goals:

  • Provision the member server with a Configuration Manager 2007 site server signing certificate so that it can operate as a Configuration Manager 2007 site server in native mode.

  • Provision the member server with a Web server certificate so that it can operate as a Configuration Manager 2007 site system server in native mode that can run any of these Configuration Manager site system roles: management point, distribution point, software update point, and state migration point.

  • Provision a workstation and the member server with a client certificate so that the workstation can operate as a Configuration Manager 2007 native mode client, and so that the management point can report its status to the site server.

Deploying the Site Server Signing Certificate

This step has four procedures:

Creating and Issuing the Site Server Signing Certificate Template on the Certification Authority

To create and issue the site server signing certificate template

  1. On the domain controller running the Windows Server 2003 console, click Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Certification Authority.

  2. Expand the name of your certification authority (CA), and then click Certificate Templates.

  3. Right-click Certificate Templates, and click Manage to load the Certificates Templates management console.

  4. In the results pane, right-click the entry that displays Computer in the Template Display Name column, and then click Duplicate Template.

  5. In the Properties of New Template dialog box, on the General tab, enter a template name for the site server signing certificate template, such as ConfigMgr Site Server Signing Certificate.

  6. Click the Subject Name tab, and then click Supply in the request.

  7. Click the Extensions tab, make sure Application Policies is selected, and then click Edit.

  8. In the Edit Application Policies Extension dialog box, select Client Authentication, press Shift and select Server Authentication, and then click Remove.

  9. In the Edit Application Policies Extension dialog box, click Add.

  10. In the Add Application Policy dialog box, select Document Signing as the only application policy, and then click OK.

  11. In the Properties of New Template dialog box, you should now see listed as the description of Application Policies: Document Signing.

  12. Click the Issuance Requirement tab, and select CA certificate manager approval.

  13. Click OK and close the Certificate Templates administrator console, certtmpl – [Certificate Templates].

  14. In Certification Authority, right-click Certificate Templates, click New, and then click Certificate Template to Issue.

  15. In the Enable Certificate Templates dialog box, select the new template you have just created, ConfigMgr Site Server Signing Certificate, and then click OK.

    Note
    If you cannot complete steps 14 or 15, check that you are using the Enterprise Edition of Windows Server 2003. Although you can configure templates with Windows Server Standard Edition and Certificate Services, you cannot deploy certificates using modified certificate templates unless you are using the Enterprise Edition of Windows Server 2003.
  16. Do not close Certification Authority.

Requesting the Site Server Signing Certificate for the Server That Will Run the Configuration Manager 2007 Site Server

To request the site server signing certificate

  1. On the member server, load Internet Explorer and connect to the Web enrollment service with the address http://<server>/certsrv where <server> is the name or IP address of the Enterprise CA.

  2. On the Welcome page, select Request a certificate.

  3. On the Request a Certificate page, select Advanced certificate request.

  4. On the Advanced Certificate Request page, select Create and submit a request to this CA.

  5. On the Advanced Certificate Request page, specify the following:

    • Under the Certificate Template section, select ConfigMgr Site Server Signing Certificate for the Certificate Template.

      Note
      If you cannot see this certificate template displayed, check that you restarted the member server (if it was running) after you configured the security group in the earlier procedure.
    • Under the section Identifying Information for Offline Template, in the Name text box enter the following: The site code of this site server is <xxx>, where <xxx> is the site code of the site. This exact text string in English must be used, in the same case, without a trailing comma or period, and the site code must be specified at the end of the string in the same case as it appears in the Configuration Manager console. It is very important that this exact wording is used, because this forms the certificate Subject name, which is used to identify the site server signing certificate.

    • Under the section Key Options, enable Store certificate in the local computer certificate store.

      Note
      If you do not see this option displayed, it is likely that you have installed the hotfix for KB 922706 to support Web enrollment for Windows Vista and Windows Server 2008. This hotfix removes the option to store an advanced certificate request in the computer store, so if this option is not available on your Web enrollment pages, you must use an alternative certificate deployment method for the site server signing certificate. For example, you can install the certificate into the user store and then export it and import it into the computer store, or you can use the command-line utility Certreq.exe to request the certificate. The Certreq.exe method is used in the following topic: Step-by-Step Example Deployment of the PKI Certificates Required for Configuration Manager Native Mode: Windows Server 2008 Certification Authority.
    • Under the section Additional Options, enter your choice for Friendly Name, such as ConfigMgr site server certificate.

  6. Click Submit.

  7. On the Certificate Pending page, you will see that your certificate request has been received but requires an administrator to issue the certificate. Make a note of the displayed Request ID.

  8. Do not exit Internet Explorer.

Approving the Site Server Signing Certificate on the Certification Authority

To approve the site server signing certificate

  1. On the domain controller, in Certification Authority, click Pending Requests.

  2. In the results pane, you will see the requested certificate with the Request ID that was displayed on the Web enrollment page.

  3. Right-click the requested certificate, click All Tasks, and then click Issue. Do not close Certification Authority.

Installing the Site Server Signing Certificate on the Server That Will Run the Configuration Manager 2007 Site Server

To install the site server signing certificate

  1. On the member server, on the Microsoft Certificate Services Web page, click Home on the top right side to return to the Welcome page.

  2. On the Welcome page, click View the status of a pending certificate request.

  3. On the View the Status of a Pending Certificate Request page, click the hyperlink that displays the friendly name you supplied for the site server signing certificate, and the date and time in parentheses it was requested.

  4. On the Certificate Issued Web page, click Install this certificate.

  5. If you are prompted with a Potential Scripting Violation warning message, click Yes.

  6. The final page should display that your new certificate has been successfully installed.

  7. Close Internet Explorer.

The member server is now provisioned with a Configuration Manager 2007 site server signing certificate.

Deploying the Web Server Certificate

This step has four procedures:

Creating a Windows Security Group for the Site System Servers (Management Point, Distribution Point, Software Update Point, State Migration Point)

To create a Windows security group for the site system server

  1. On the domain controller, click Start, Programs, Administrative Tools, Active Directory Users and Computers.

  2. Right-click the domain, click New, and then click Group.

  3. In the New Object – Group dialog box, enter ConfigMgr IIS Servers as the Group name and then click OK.

  4. In Directory Users and Computers, right-click the group you have just created and then click Properties.

  5. Click the Members tab, and then click Add to select the member server.

    Note
    In our test environment, there is only one server to add. However, in a production environment, it is likely that various servers will host the Configuration Manager 2007 site systems that require certificates, such as the site's management point and distribution points. It is therefore good practice to assign permissions to a group and add the site systems that require the same type of certificate. Creating a security group for these servers enables you to assign permissions so that only these servers can use these certificates.
  6. Click OK, and then click OK again to close the group properties dialog box.

  7. Restart your member server (if running) so that it can pick up the new group membership.

Creating and Issuing the Web Server Certificate Template on the Certification Authority

To create and issue the Web server certificate template on the certification authority

  1. On the domain controller, while still running the Certification Authority management console, right-click Certificate Templates, and then click Manage to load the Certificate Templates management console.

  2. In the results pane, right-click the entry that displays Web Server in the column Template Display Name, and then click Duplicate Template.

  3. In the Properties of New Template dialog box, on the General tab, enter a template name to generate the Web certificates that will be used on Configuration Manager site systems, such as ConfigMgr Web Server Certificate.

  4. Click the Subject Name tab, select Build from this Active Directory information, and then select one of the following for the Subject name format:

    • Common name: Select this option if you will use fully qualified domain names for site systems in Configuration Manager (required for Internet-based client management, and recommended for clients on the intranet).

    • Fully distinguished name: Select this option if you will not use fully qualified domain names in Configuration Manager.

  5. Click the Security tab, and remove the Enroll permission from the security groups Domain Admins and Enterprise Admins.

  6. Click Add, enter ConfigMgr IIS Servers in the text box, and then click OK.

  7. Select the following Allow permissions for this group: Read, Enroll, and Autoenroll.

  8. Click OK and close the Certificate Templates management console, certtmpl – [Certificate Templates].

  9. In the Certification Authority management console, right-click Certificate Templates, click New, and then click Certificate Template to Issue.

  10. In the Enable Certificate Templates dialog box, select the new template you have just created, ConfigMgr Web Server Certificate, and then click OK.

  11. Close Certification Authority.

Requesting the Web Server Certificate

To request the Web server certificate

  1. Restart the member server to ensure it can access the certificate template with the configured permission.

  2. Click Start, click Run, and type mmc.exe. In the empty console, click File and then click Add/Remove Snap-in.

  3. In the Add/Remove Snap-in dialog box, click Add, click Certificates, and then click Add.

  4. In the Certificate snap-in dialog box, select Computer account and then click Next.

  5. In the Select Computer dialog box, ensure Local computer: (the computer this console is running on) is selected, and then click Finish.

  6. In the Add Standalone Snap-in dialog box, click Close.

  7. In the Add/Remove Snap-in dialog box, click OK.

  8. In the console that now displays Certificates (Local Computer), expand Certificates (Local Computer), and then expand Personal.

  9. Right-click Certificates, click All Tasks, and then click Request New Certificate.

  10. On the Welcome to the Certificate Request Wizard page, click Next.

  11. On the Certificate Types page, select ConfigMgr Web Server Certificate from the list of displayed certificates, and then click Next.

  12. On the Certificate Friendly Name and Description page, optionally enter a friendly name and description to help you identify this certificate, and then click Next.

  13. On the Completing the Certificate Request Wizard page, click Finish.

  14. You should see the Certificate Request Wizard dialog box informing you that the certificate request was successful.

  15. Close Certificates (Local Computer).

Configuring IIS to Use the Web Server Certificate

To configure IIS to use the Web server certificate

  1. On the member server, click Start, click Programs, click Administrative Tools, and then click Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

  2. Expand Web Sites, right-click Default Web Site, and then select Properties.

  3. Click the Directory Security tab, and then click Server Certificate.

  4. On the Welcome to the Web Server Certificate Wizard page, click Next.

  5. On the Server Certificate page, click Assign an existing certificate and then click Next.

  6. On the Available Certificates page, select the Web server certificate you have just requested, identifying it by the Intended Purpose field that has a value of Server Authentication and the Friendly Name you supplied, and then click Next.

  7. On the SSL Port page, accept the default port number of 443 and then click Next.

  8. On the Certificate Summary page, click Next.

  9. On the Completing the Web Server Certificate Wizard page, click Finish.

  10. Click OK to close the Default Web Site Properties.

  11. Close Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.

The member server is now provisioned with a Configuration Manager 2007 Web server certificate.

Note
If this server will be configured for software updates, there is additional IIS configuration that must be performed after WSUS is installed. For more information, see How to Configure the WSUS Web Site to Use SSL.

Deploying the Client Certificate

This step has two procedures:

Configuring Autoenrollment of the Computer Template Using Group Policy

To configure autoenrollment of the computer template using Group Policy

  1. On the domain controller, click Start, click Administrative Tools, and then click Group Policy Management.

  2. Right-click the domain, and then select Create and Link a GPO Here.

    Note
    This step uses the best practice of creating a new Group Policy for custom settings rather than editing the Default Domain Policy that is installed with Active Directory Domain Services. By assigning this Group Policy at the domain level, you will apply it to all computers in the domain. However, on a production environment you can restrict the autoenrollment so that it enrolls on only selected computers by either assigning the Group Policy at an organizational unit (OU) level, or you can filter the domain Group Policy with a security group so that it applies only to the computers in the group. If you restrict autoenrollment, remember to include the server that is configured as the management point.
  3. In the New GPO dialog box, enter a name for the new Group Policy, such as Autoenroll Certificates, and then click OK.

  4. In the results pane, on the Linked Group Policy Objects tab, right-click the new Group Policy, and then click Edit.

  5. In the Group Policy Object Editor, navigate to Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Public Key Policies.

  6. Right-click Automatic Certificate Request Settings, click New, and then click Automatic Certificate Request.

  7. In the Welcome to the Automatic Certificate Request Setup Wizard, click Next.

  8. On the Certificate Template page, select Computer from the list of available certificate templates, and then click Next.

  9. On the Completing the Automatic Certificate Request Setup Wizard page, click Finish.

  10. Close Group Policy Management.

Automatically Enrolling the Computer Certificate and Verifying Its Installation on Computers

To automatically enroll the computer certificate and verify its installation on the client computer

  1. Restart the workstation computer, and wait a few minutes before logging on.

    Note
    Restarting a computer is the most reliable method of ensuring success with certificate autoenrollment.
  2. Log on with an account that has administrative privileges.

  3. Click Start, click Run, and then type mmc.exe.

  4. In the empty management console, click File, and then click Add/Remove Snap-in.

  5. In the Add/Remove Snap-in dialog box, click Add, click Certificates, and then click Add.

  6. In the Certificate snap-in dialog box, select Computer account and then click Next.

  7. In the Select Computer dialog box, ensure Local computer: (the computer this console is running on) is selected and then click Finish.

  8. In the Add Standalone Snap-in dialog box, click Close.

  9. In the Add/Remove Snap-in dialog box, click OK.

  10. In the console that now displays Certificates (Local Computer), expand Certificates (Local Computer) and then click Personal.

  11. In the results pane, confirm a certificate is displayed that has Client Authentication displayed in the Intended Purpose field and Computer displayed in the Certificate Template field.

  12. Close Certificates (Local Computer).

  13. Repeat steps 1 through 12 for the member server to verify that the server that will be configured as the management point also has a client certificate.

The workstation and member server are now provisioned with a Configuration Manager 2007 client certificate.

See Also