Pki Architecture; Pki Operation - HP FlexFabric 5930 Series Security Configuration Manual

(CPS). You can obtain a CA policy through out-of-band means such as phone, disk, and email. Make
sure you understand the CA policy before you select a trusted CA for certificate request because different
CAs might use different policies.

PKI architecture

A PKI system consists of PKI entities, CAs, RAs and a certificate/CRL repository, as shown in
Figure 18 PKI architecture
PKI entity—A PKI entity is an end user or host using PKI certificates. The PKI entity can be an
•
operator, an organization, a device like a router or a switch, or a process running on a computer.
The SCEP is a protocol that used by the PKI entity to communicate with the CA and RA.
• CA—A CA is a trusted authority that issues and manages digital certificates. A CA issues
certificates, defines the certificate validity periods, and revokes certificates by publishing CRLs.
RA—In a PKI system with complex CA hierarchical structures, RAs, which are trusted by CAs,
•
manage registration requests to reduce the burden on CAs. An RA accepts certificate requests,
verifies user identity, and determines whether to ask the CA to issue certificates. RAs are not
allowed to issue certificates.
A CA and its trusted RAs should be on different devices to avoid direct interaction between the CA
and external devices for higher security of the private key of the CA.
• Repository—A certificate/CRL repository, also known as a distribution point, stores certificates and
CRLs, and distributes these certificates and CRLs to PKI entities. It also provides the query function.
A PKI repository can be a directory server using Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) or
HTTP protocol, and LDAP is commonly used.
LDAP is a protocol for accessing and managing PKI information. An LDAP server stores the digital
certificates and CRLs from the CA/RA server and provides directory navigation service. From an
LDAP server, an entity can obtain the certificates of its own and other entities, as well as the CRLs.

PKI operation

The following describes how a PKI entity requests a local certificate from a CA, and how an RA is
involved in entity enrollment:
1. A PKI entity submits a certificate request to the RA.
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Figure 18.