In order to test or use a certificate against a certain TCP/IP raw text connection, you have to open it
first (click on Menu File > Open > Open
Certificate). After the certificate is opened, click on Test on Custom Protocol on top of the page.
This action will open a new top component window (named "Test
Certificate Window"), containing the details needed for testing the
certificate. The name of the tested certificate will be written in the
"Currently used certificate" field. The certificate can be changed from a
file chooser by clicking on Browse button.
This functionality is also available for a certificate that is part of a KeyStore.
In order to use the certificate for the secure connection, the following server connection details must be filled in:
server name;
server port;
connection type;
secure connection type;
the charset used for the request;
client authentication (KeyStore file - can be chosen using
Browsebutton; KeyStore password; key pair password, alias). If a Private Key alias will not be provided the default Java selection behaviour of the private key from the provided KeyStore will be used.
The connection to the server can be initiated, closed or upgraded using the corresponding buttons on the page - the buttons changed their state accordingly.
The test window has other three areas for:
request details area - the location where will be introduced the specific request details. A request will be sent to the server only after clicking on
Send requestbutton. Note that some protocols require line terminators for delimiting the requests. These should be added manually and the button Send Request must still be pressed.response area - where the response from the server will be displayed;
SSL communication information area - where SSL information will be displayed.
You can also test connections that starts on plain and then upgrades to SSL. For example testing a STARTTLS connection type for a SMTP server would be done according to the following scenario:
Configure server connection details;
Select Connection type to be Upgradeable plain. Configure client authentication details if necessary;
Press
Connect to Server;Start the handshaking plain messaging by issuing the necessary text commands. Don't forget to add the line terminators before pressing
Send request;Empty the request window (e.g. select all with
Ctrl+Aand writeSTARTTLSand pressEnter, thenSend request;If the server responds with
220 2.0.0 Ready to start TLSor similar press Upgrade Connection. The connection will be switched to secure and the certificate provided will be used for this;Continue messaging on the secured connection.