CSR Generator using Java Web Start

Overview

The CSR generator using Java Web Start is an open source software developed by AIST GTRC. Providing a graphical user interface, the CSR generator generates certificate signing request (CSR) for user, host, and ldap certificates and send it to an appropriate certificate authority via email. The CSR generator is written in Java and uses a light weight cryptography API in Java provided by bouncycastle. The CSR generator has the following features:
  • A CSR will be generated on the user's machine. This means a private key is kept on the user's machine.
  • It is not required to pre-install the software used to generate a CSR on the user's machine.

System behavior and trial run

With Java Web Start, applications are launched by clicking on a Web page link. When a user clicks a Web page link, the application (CSR generator) and all necessary files, such as required Java class libraries, are automatically downloaded to the user's machine if the application is not present on the user's machine. The CSR generator starts when all necessary files have been downloaded. The generator will run on the user's machine, as well.

In the first step, the user specifies a user name and an email address to be used when generating the CSR for the user certificate. The user has to specify the host's FQDN to generate a CSR for the server certificate. In the second step, a key pair (private key and public key) and a CSR are generated. In the third step, the generated CSR and private key are saved as local files. In the last step, the CSR generator send the generated CSR to an appropriate CA.

Click here for trial run of the CSR Generator. Note that the CSR will be sent to a dummy CA and you will be issues no certificates through this trial.

Download

The CSR generator is implemented to be used by Certificate Authorities. It is an open source software and you can download the source now!