KBA-13-02-004 Configuring Excel Data Bridge for HTTPS

This knowledge-based article showcases how to configure EDB to HTTPS as opposed to the standard HTTP.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

• Step 1: Generate Self-Signed Certificate in IIS
• Step 2: Bind the Self-Signed Certificate
• Step 3: Obtain a copy of the Self-Signed Certificate file
• Step 4: Install the Certificate on the Client Computer
• Step 5: Update EDB to work with HTTPS
• Knowledgebase Article Details

Step 1: Generate Self-Signed Certificate in IIS

Click on the start menu, go to Administrative Tools, and click on Internet Information Services (IIS) manager.

Click on the name of the server in the Connections column on the left. Double-click on Server Certificates:

In the Actions column on the right, click on Create Self-Signed Certificate:

Enter any friendly name and then click OK:

You will now have an IIS Self-Signed Certificate valid for 1 year listed under Server Certificates.

Now we need to bind the Self-Signed Certificate to the EDB websites.

Step 2: Bind the Self-Signed Certificate

The default installation of EDB is under Default Web Site on port 80, as follows:

However, during installation, this can be changed to run on a different port, meaning it would exist as its own site. If that is the case, then edit the bindings for that site instead.

Click on the Add... button:

Change the Type to https and then select the SSL certificate you just installed.

Port 443 is the default for SSL, however this can be any valid port of your choice. The port specified cannot be one already being used across other website bindings. Click OK.

You will now see the binding for port 443 listed. Click Close.

Step 3: Obtain a copy of the Self-Signed Certificate file

On the server used above to generate the self-signed certificate, from the start menu, find Run (Win + R), type in mmc, and then press OK.

From the File menu, select Add/Remove Snap-in.

Select the Certificates snap-in, then click Add > to add it.

In the window that appears, select Computer account followed by Next.

Use this exported certificate to complete the following step.

Step 4: Install the Certificate on the Client Computer

Currently, if you were to browse to https://servername/ExcelDataBridgeMaint from the client machine, you would receive the following:

Continue to this website will load the page, however, you will notice the security warnings highlighting the certificate error.

On the client computer, from the start menu, find Run (Win + R), type in mmc, and then press OK.

From the File menu, select Add/Remove Snap-in.

Select the Certificates snap-in, then click Add > to add it. In the window that appears, select My user account followed by Finish.

You should now see the Certificates (Current User) node added to the selected snap-ins pane. Click OK.

Within the left pane, under Console Root expand Certificates (Current User) to reveal the Trusted Root Certification Authorities folder. Expand the Trusted Root Certification Authorities folder to reveal the Certificates folder. Click on the Certificates folder, and select All Tasks > Import.

Click Next to appear on the File to Import screen. Here, use the Browse… button to load the certificate you exported earlier. Click Next to appear at the Certificate Store screen, which should have a summary matching the following:

Click Next followed by Finish to complete the Import.

A security warning may be displayed, if this is the case, confirm Yes to install the certificate.

Once the certificate has installed successfully, browse to https://servername/ExcelDataBridgeMaint (you will need to close your browser and re-open when trying this).

The page will display with no security warnings as we had at the start of this topic:

Step 5: Update EDB to work with HTTPS

Open Excel, and under the EDB ribbon item, press Server Config.

Within the EDB Server Configuration form, enter the following URL in the format https://servername/ExcelDataBridgeServer.

Click OK.

Close Excel and re-open. Now, EDB has been configured to HTTPS.

Knowledgebase Article Details