How to add an SSL certificate to your self-managed VPS hosting

An SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) certificate shows visitors that your website is secure. You can add an SSL certificate to your self-managed VPS hosting. Because a self-managed VPS hosting is a do-it-yourself product, you generate the CSR (Certificate Signing Request) and manually install the certificate on your own server. This article explains what you need to do, how a dedicated IP fits in, and where to find extra help.

In this article, we will discuss:

• Before you start
• How to add an SSL certificate to your VPS
• Dedicated IPs and SSL
• Premium Support for additional help
• Review

Before you start

• Self-managed VPS hosting gives you complete administrative access, so you are responsible for generating the CSR and installing the SSL certificate on your own server.
• The exact CSR-generation and installation steps depend on your own control panel and operating system.
• A dedicated IP supports SSL certificates. You can purchase additional dedicated IPs during sign-up for (up to seven additional, separate from your main server IP, using IPv4 formatting).

How to add an SSL certificate to your VPS

Adding an SSL certificate to a self-managed VPS hosting is a self-managed task. You complete each of the following steps in your own control panel and server environment:

1. Confirm the certificate type. Decide that you want to add an SSL certificate to your VPS hosting.
2. Generate the CSR. Generate the CSR (Certificate Signing Request) on your own server.
3. Obtain your certificate. Submit the CSR to obtain your issued SSL certificate.
4. Install the certificate. Manually install the issued SSL certificate on your server.
5. Add a dedicated IP if needed. If you need one, purchase a dedicated IP during sign-up to support your SSL certificate.

Dedicated IPs and SSL

A dedicated IP supports SSL certificates, so it often comes up alongside adding a certificate. Keep these points in mind:

• You can purchase additional dedicated IPs during sign-up.
• A dedicated IP is a unique internet address assigned exclusively to your VPS, allowing direct access to the server and supporting services such as websites, SSL certificates, email, DNS, and remote connections.
• A dedicated IP is separate from your default server IP.
• Dedicated IPs use IPv4 formatting.
• You can purchase up to seven additional dedicated IPs (this does not include your main server IP), and you can manage your additional IPs within your account manager after purchase.

Premium Support for additional help

Premium Support is an optional add-on that offers an additional helping hand with basic VPS setup and tasks. It can help with basic setup tasks and walkthroughs, but it does not generate the CSR or install the SSL certificate for you—that remains your responsibility.

• Premium Support is only available for packages that have cPanel. If you did not select cPanel, the add-on does not show during purchase.
• You need an active Premium Support subscription to receive help from the Premium Support team.

Key points to remember

• You can add an SSL certificate to your VPS, but you must generate the CSR and manually install the certificate on your own server.
• This is a self-managed, DIY task—the exact CSR-generation and installation steps depend on your control panel and operating system.
• A dedicated IP supports SSL certificates, you can purchase up to seven(not counting your main server IP), and they use IPv4 formatting.
• Premium Support is an optional add-on available only with cPanel and requires an active subscription. It assists with basic setup, but it does not provide full server support.

Review

This article explains how to add an SSL certificate to your self-managed VPS hosting. Because the VPS is self-managed, you generate the CSR (Certificate Signing Request) and manually install the certificate yourself on your own server, following the steps that match your control panel and operating system. A dedicated IP supports SSL certificates and can be purchased during sign-up (up to seven additional, using IPv4 formatting, separate from your main server IP). If you would like additional help with basic setup and tasks, Premium Support is available as an optional add-on on cPanel packages.