Use keytool to create a private key

Applies to User Roles:

System Administrator

You can use the keytool utility provided with the Sun Microsystems™ Java Development Kit to produce a private key in a keystore.

To use keytool to create a private key:

  1. Open your operating system's command prompt.
  2. Change directories to your JDK's bin folder.
  3. Type the following command to create a client private key.
    keytool -genkey -alias clients -keystore clientcerts
    You can define your own names for the -alias and -keystore parameters. The names above are examples.
  4. When the keytool utility prompts you, type the following information:
    • Keystore password
    • Fully qualified domain name of host
    • Organizational unit
    • Name of organization
    • City or locality
    • State or province
    • Two letter country code
  5. Review the contact information and type yes to accept it.
  6. Type in the password you want to use for the client key.

    Tip: You can press ENTER to use the same password for the key as you typed for the keystore.