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nasaboy007
07-24-2008, 02:19 PM
I've already opened 2 tickets with support, but with each reply I just have another question so I felt it would be logical to just open a thread here.

So, I recently purchased an SSL certificate from namecheap.com for use with my HostMonster site, www.mysitememberships.com. I attempted to install it myself because in cPanel, it already had the "SSL/TLS Manager" button under the "Security" tab. I was talking to live tech support at the time and that person had told me that if I had that option, I was good to go - there was no mention of dedicated IPs, etc.

I proceeded to use the key generator part in SSL/TLS Manager to generate a key, and then I used that key to generate a Certificate Signing Request (CSR) all because namecheap.com required a CSR to be inputted in order to "activate the SSL certificate". So I did all that, entered all the information, and activated my CRT on namecheap. I used the code they gave me, and copy/pasted it into the "Add CRT" option in cPanel's SSL/TLS Manager.

It successfully installed, but if I go to https://www.mysitememberships.com, I still receive the warning that the certificate is self-signed and should not be trusted. I had purchased the certificate from namecheap for the sole purpose of avoiding that message.

I contacted support again and was then told that I needed a dedicated IP, which costs $30 / year, in order to use my own SSL certificate.

I, in turn, asked if I would be able to use this activated namecheap certificate since it was activated before I had the dedicated IP (I have a limited knowledge of how SSL certificates need to be set up). The reply I received was "The "SSL Manager" Icon will not appear in your cPanel until AFTER you have a dedicated IP installed on your account." Only problem is, that icon was already there.

So my questions:
Why is that icon there if I had not purchased a dedicated IP yet?
Will my certificate from namecheap work WITHOUT being flagged as untrusted if I upgrade to a dedicated IP?
Will I be able to switch back to a shared IP (with a full refund) if the certificate does not work?


Thank you very much.

r2b2
07-24-2008, 02:23 PM
Unfortunately all those questions are questions for Hostmonster support personnel - we are just users like you and aren't privy to all the technical details of the SSL implementation with Hostmonster.

Best bet is to jump onto LiveChat and talk one-on-one with them...

nasaboy007
07-24-2008, 02:34 PM
Oh I was not aware of that, I assumed that support personnel also were members of the forum.

Thanks for the tip, r2b2, I've contacted live chat and received answers for my inquiries.