Mono(MakeCert)

NAME
MakeCert - Create X.509 certificates for test purposes

SYNOPSIS

makecert [options] certificate

DESCRIPTION
Create an X.509 certificate using the provided informations. This is useful for testing Authenticode signatures, SSL and S/MIME technologies.

PARAMETERS

-# num
    Specify the certificate serial number.

-n dn
    Specify the subject Distinguished Name (DN).

-in dn
    Specify the issuer Distinguished Name (DN).

-r  Create a self-signed, also called root, certificate.

-iv pvkfile
    Specify the private key file (.PVK) for the issuer. The private key in the specified file will be used to sign the new certificate.

-ic certfile
    Extract the issuer's name from the specified certificate file - i.e. the subject name of the specified certificate becomes the issuer name of the new certificate.

-in name
    Use the issuer's name from the specified parameter.

-ik container
    Specify the key container name to be used for the issuer.

-iky [signature | exchange | #]
    Specify the key number to be used in the provider (when used with -ik).

-ip provider
    Specify the cryptographic provider to be used for the issuer.

-ir [localmachine | currentuser]
    Specify the provider will search the user or the machine keys containers for the issuer.

-iy number
    Specify the provider type to be used for the issuer.

-sv pkvfile
    Specify the private key file (.PVK) for the subject. The public part of the key will be inserted into the created certificate. If non-existant the specified file will be created with a new key pair (default to 1024 bits RSA key pair).

-sk container
    Specify the key container name to be used for the subject.

-sky [signature | exchange | #]
    Specify the key number to be used in the provider (when used with -sk).

-sp provider
    Specify the cryptographic provider to be used for the subject.

-sr [localmachine | currentuser]
    Specify the provider will search the user or the machine keys containers for the subject.

-sy number
    Specify the provider type to be used for the issuer.

-a hash
    Select hash algorithm. Only MD5 and SHA1 algorithms are supported.

-b date
    The date since when the certificate is valid (notBefore).

-e date
    The date until when the certificate is valid (notAfter).

-m number
    Specify the certificate validity period in months. This is added to the notBefore validity date which can be set with -b or will default to the current date/time.

-cy [authority|end]
    Basic constraints. Select Authority or End-Entity certificate. Only Authority certificates can be used to sign other certificates (-ic). End-Entity can be used by clients (e.g. Authenticode, S/MIME) or servers (e.g. SSL).

-h number
    Add a path length restriction to the certificate chain. This is only applicable for certificates that have BasicConstraint set to Authority (-cy authority). This is used to limit the chain of certificates than can be issued under this authority.

-eku oid[,oid]
    Add some extended key usage OID to the certificate.

-?  Help (display this help message)

-!  Extended help (for advanced options)

EXAMPLES

To create a SSL test (i.e. non trusted) certificate is easy once your know your host's name. The following command will create a test certificate for an SSL server:
	$ hostname
	pollux
	$ makecert -r -eku 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.1 -n "CN=pollux" -sv pollux.pvk pollux.cer
	Success

In particular in the above example, the parameters used to build this test certificate were:

-r  Create a self-signed certificate (i.e. without an hierarchy).

-eku 1.3.6.1.5.5.7.3.1
    Optional (as sadly most client don't require it). This indicates that your certificate is intended for server-side authentication.

-n  CN=pollux
    Common Name (CN) = Host name. This is verified the SSL client and must match the connected host (or else you'll get a warning or error or *gasp* nothing).

-sv private.key
    The private key file. The key (1024 bits RSA key pair) will be automatically generated if the specified file isn't present.

pollux.cer
    The SSL certificate to be created for your host.

KNOWN RESTRICTIONS
Compared to the Windows version some options aren't supported (-$, -d, -l, -nscp, -is, -sc, -ss). Also PVK files with passwords aren't supported.

AUTHOR
Written by Sebastien Pouliot

COPYRIGHT
Copyright (C) 2003 Motus Technologies. Copyright (C) 2004 Novell. Released under BSD license.

MAILING LISTS
Visit http://lists.ximian.com/mailman/listinfo/mono-devel-list for details.

WEB SITE
Visit http://www.mono-project.com for details

SEE ALSO
signcode(1)