Create a JKS (Java, Tomcat, ...) from a PKCS12 or a PFX (Windows)

You may have to convert a PKCS#12 to a JKS for several reasons. For example, if you have to copy or transfer your certificate from an Apache or Microsoft platform to a Tomcat one or to any platform using JKS file type (Java KeyStore).

Prerequisites:

• Keytool application (supplied along with JDK 1.1 and higher)


• A PKCS#12 file (.p12 or .pfx extension) containing the certificate, the private key and the certification chain. If you do not have a PKCS#12 certificate, follow those instructions explaining how to create one:
• Under IIS: Save your IIS5 or IIS6 or IIS7 certificate and its private key
• Under Apache (or any platform using PEM file type): Create a PKCS12 from openssl files

If you do have Keytool application and your PKCS#12 file, launch the one-line command:

keytool -importkeystore -srckeystore [MY_FILE.p12] -srcstoretype pkcs12
 -srcalias [ALIAS_SRC] -destkeystore [MY_KEYSTORE.jks]
 -deststoretype jks -deststorepass [PASSWORD_JKS] -destalias [ALIAS_DEST]

You'll need to modify these parameters:

• MY_FILE.p12 : indicate the path to the PKCS#12 file (.p12 or .pfx extension) to be converted.


• MY_KEYSTORE.jks: path to the keystore in which you want to store your certificate. If it does not exist it will be created automatically.


• PASSWORD_JKS: password that will be requested at the keystore opening.


• ALIAS_SRC: name matching your certificate entry in the PKCS#12 file, "tomcat" for example.
  N.B.: In case you would export your certificate from a Windows server generating a .PFX file, you'll have to retrieve the "alias" name created by Windows. To do so, you can execute the following command:
  

  keytool -v -list -storetype pkcs12 -keystore FILE_PFX

  There, the "alias name" field indicates the storage name of your certificate you need to use in the command line.


• ALIAS_DEST: name that will match your certificate entry in the JKS keystore, "tomcat" for example.

 

Other cases:

• Generate a CSR for Tomcat
• Generate a CSR for Tomcat - Vmware
• Install a Tomcat certificate
• Create a PKCS12 from a JKS

Useful links

• Create a PKCS12 (PFX / P12 / WINDOWS) from a JKS / JAVA keystore
• Install a TOMCAT / JAVA server certificate
• Obtain a server certificate
• Install a Oracle Java code signing certificate
• Obtain a code signing certificate

External links

• Keytool: http://java.sun.com/j2se/1.5.0/docs/tooldocs/solaris/keytool.html