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authorYuriy Andamasov <yuriy@vyos.io>2026-05-02 17:25:47 +0300
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+---
+lastproofread: '2024-01-05'
+---
+
+```{include} /_include/need_improvement.txt
+```
+
+(pki)=
+
+# PKI
+
+VyOS 1.4 changed the way in how encryption keys or certificates are stored on the
+system. In the pre VyOS 1.4 era, certificates got stored under /config and every
+service referenced a file. That made copying a running configuration from system
+A to system B a bit harder, as you had to copy the files and their permissions
+by hand.
+
+{vytask}`T3642` describes a new CLI subsystem that serves as a "certstore" to
+all services requiring any kind of encryption key(s). In short, public and
+private certificates are now stored in PKCS#8 format in the regular VyOS CLI.
+Keys can now be added, edited, and deleted using the regular set/edit/delete
+CLI commands.
+
+VyOS not only can now manage certificates issued by 3rd party Certificate
+Authorities, it can also act as a CA on its own. You can create your own root
+CA and sign keys with it by making use of some simple op-mode commands.
+
+Don't be afraid that you need to re-do your configuration. Key transformation is
+handled, as always, by our migration scripts, so this will be a smooth transition
+for you!
+
+## Key Generation
+
+### Certificate Authority (CA)
+
+VyOS now also has the ability to create CAs, keys, Diffie-Hellman and other
+keypairs from an easy to access operational level command.
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki ca
+
+Create a new {abbr}`CA (Certificate Authority)` and output the CAs public and
+private key on the console.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki ca install \<name\>
+
+Create a new {abbr}`CA (Certificate Authority)` and output the CAs public and
+private key on the console.
+
+:::{note}
+In addition to the command above, the output is in a format which can be used
+to directly import the key into the VyOS CLI by simply copy-pasting the output
+from op-mode into configuration mode.
+
+``name`` is used for the VyOS CLI command to identify this key. This
+key ``name`` is then used in the CLI configuration to reference the key
+instance.
+:::
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki ca sign \<ca-name\>
+
+Create a new subordinate {abbr}`CA (Certificate Authority)` and sign it using
+the private key referenced by ca-name.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki ca sign \<ca-name\> install \<name\>
+
+Create a new subordinate {abbr}`CA (Certificate Authority)` and sign it using
+the private key referenced by `name`.
+
+:::{note}
+In addition to the command above, the output is in a format which can be used
+to directly import the key into the VyOS CLI by simply copy-pasting the output
+from op-mode into configuration mode.
+
+``name`` is used for the VyOS CLI command to identify this key. This
+key ``name`` is then used in the CLI configuration to reference the key
+instance.
+:::
+```
+
+### Certificates
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki certificate
+
+Create a new public/private keypair and output the certificate on the console.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki certificate install \<name\>
+
+Create a new public/private keypair and output the certificate on the console.
+
+:::{note}
+In addition to the command above, the output is in a format which can be used
+to directly import the key into the VyOS CLI by simply copy-pasting the output
+from op-mode into configuration mode.
+
+``name`` is used for the VyOS CLI command to identify this key. This
+key ``name`` is then used in the CLI configuration to reference the key
+instance.
+:::
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki certificate self-signed
+
+Create a new self-signed certificate. The public/private is then shown on the
+console.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki certificate self-signed install \<name\>
+
+Create a new self-signed certificate. The public/private is then shown on the
+console.
+
+:::{note}
+In addition to the command above, the output is in a format which can be used
+to directly import the key into the VyOS CLI by simply copy-pasting the output
+from op-mode into configuration mode.
+
+``name`` is used for the VyOS CLI command to identify this key. This
+key ``name`` is then used in the CLI configuration to reference the key
+instance.
+:::
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki certificate sign \<ca-name\>
+
+Create a new public/private keypair which is signed by the CA referenced by
+ca-name. The signed certificate is then output to the console.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki certificate sign \<ca-name\> install \<name\>
+
+Create a new public/private keypair which is signed by the CA referenced by
+ca-name. The signed certificate is then output to the console.
+
+:::{note}
+In addition to the command above, the output is in a format which can be used
+to directly import the key into the VyOS CLI by simply copy-pasting the output
+from op-mode into configuration mode.
+
+``name`` is used for the VyOS CLI command to identify this key. This
+key ``name`` is then used in the CLI configuration to reference the key
+instance.
+:::
+```
+
+### Diffie-Hellman parameters
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki dh
+
+Generate a new set of {abbr}`DH (Diffie-Hellman)` parameters. The key size
+is requested by the CLI and defaults to 2048 bit.
+
+The generated parameters are then output to the console.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki dh install \<name\>
+
+Generate a new set of {abbr}`DH (Diffie-Hellman)` parameters. The key size
+is requested by the CLI and defaults to 2048 bit.
+
+:::{note}
+In addition to the command above, the output is in a format which can be used
+to directly import the key into the VyOS CLI by simply copy-pasting the output
+from op-mode into configuration mode.
+
+``name`` is used for the VyOS CLI command to identify this key. This
+key ``name`` is then used in the CLI configuration to reference the key
+instance.
+:::
+```
+
+### OpenVPN
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki openvpn shared-secret
+
+Generate a new OpenVPN shared secret. The generated secret is the output to
+the console.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki openvpn shared-secret install \<name\>
+
+Generate a new OpenVPN shared secret. The generated secret is the output to
+the console.
+
+:::{note}
+In addition to the command above, the output is in a format which can be used
+to directly import the key into the VyOS CLI by simply copy-pasting the output
+from op-mode into configuration mode.
+
+``name`` is used for the VyOS CLI command to identify this key. This
+key ``name`` is then used in the CLI configuration to reference the key
+instance.
+:::
+```
+
+### WireGuard
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki wireguard key-pair
+
+Generate a new WireGuard public/private key portion and output the result to
+the console.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki wireguard key-pair install \<interface\>
+
+Generate a new WireGuard public/private key portion and output the result to
+the console.
+
+:::{note}
+In addition to the command above, the output is in a format which can
+be used to directly import the key into the VyOS CLI by simply copy-pasting
+the output from op-mode into configuration mode.
+
+``interface`` is used for the VyOS CLI command to identify the WireGuard
+interface where this private key is to be used.
+:::
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki wireguard preshared-key
+
+Generate a WireGuard pre-shared secret used for peers to communicate.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} generate pki wireguard preshared-key install \<peer\>
+
+Generate a WireGuard pre-shared secret used for peers to communicate.
+
+:::{note}
+In addition to the command above, the output is in a format which can
+be used to directly import the key into the VyOS CLI by simply copy-pasting
+the output from op-mode into configuration mode.
+
+``peer`` is used for the VyOS CLI command to identify the WireGuard peer where
+this secret is to be used.
+:::
+```
+
+## Key usage (CLI)
+### CA (Certificate Authority)
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki ca \<name\> certificate
+
+Add the public CA certificate for the CA named `name` to the VyOS CLI.
+
+:::{note}
+When loading the certificate you need to manually strip the
+``-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----`` and ``-----END CERTIFICATE-----`` tags.
+Also, the certificate/key needs to be presented in a single line without
+line breaks (``\n``), this can be done using the following shell command:
+
+``$ tail -n +2 ca.pem | head -n -1 | tr -d '\n'``
+:::
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki ca \<name\> crl
+
+Certificate revocation list in PEM format.
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki ca \<name\> description
+
+A human readable description what this CA is about.
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki ca \<name\> private key
+
+Add the CAs private key to the VyOS CLI. This should never leave the system,
+and is only required if you use VyOS as your certificate generator as
+mentioned above.
+
+:::{note}
+When loading the certificate you need to manually strip the
+``-----BEGIN KEY-----`` and ``-----END KEY-----`` tags. Also, the
+certificate/key needs to be presented in a single line without line
+breaks (``\n``), this can be done using the following shell command:
+
+``$ tail -n +2 ca.key | head -n -1 | tr -d '\n'``
+:::
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki ca \<name\> private password-protected
+
+Mark the CAs private key as password protected. User is asked for the password
+when the key is referenced.
+```
+
+### Server Certificate
+
+After we have imported the CA certificate(s) we can now import and add
+certificates used by services on this router.
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> certificate
+
+Add public key portion for the certificate named `name` to the VyOS CLI.
+
+:::{note}
+When loading the certificate you need to manually strip the
+``-----BEGIN CERTIFICATE-----`` and ``-----END CERTIFICATE-----`` tags.
+Also, the certificate/key needs to be presented in a single line without
+line breaks (``\n``), this can be done using the following shell command:
+
+``$ tail -n +2 cert.pem | head -n -1 | tr -d '\n'``
+:::
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> description
+
+A human readable description what this certificate is about.
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> private key
+
+Add the private key portion of this certificate to the CLI. This should never
+leave the system as it is used to decrypt the data.
+
+:::{note}
+When loading the certificate you need to manually strip the
+``-----BEGIN KEY-----`` and ``-----END KEY-----`` tags. Also, the
+certificate/key needs to be presented in a single line without line
+breaks (``\n``), this can be done using the following shell command:
+
+``$ tail -n +2 cert.key | head -n -1 | tr -d '\n'``
+:::
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> private password-protected
+
+Mark the private key as password protected. User is asked for the password
+when the key is referenced.
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> revoke
+
+If CA is present, this certificate will be included in generated CRLs
+```
+
+### Import files to PKI format
+
+VyOS provides this utility to import existing certificates/key files directly
+into PKI from op-mode. Previous to VyOS 1.4, certificates were stored under the
+/config folder permanently and will be retained post upgrade.
+
+```{opcmd} import pki ca \<name\> file \<Path to CA certificate file\>
+
+Import the public CA certificate from the defined file to VyOS CLI.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} import pki ca \<name\> key-file \<Path to private key file\>
+
+Import the CAs private key portion to the CLI. This should never leave the
+system as it is used to decrypt the data. The key is required if you use
+VyOS as your certificate generator.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} import pki certificate \<name\> file \<path to certificate\>
+
+Import the certificate from the file to VyOS CLI.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} import pki certificate \<name\> key-file \<path to private key\>
+
+Import the private key of the certificate to the VyOS CLI. This should never
+leave the system as it is used to decrypt the data.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} import pki openvpn shared-secret \<name\> file \<path to OpenVPN secret key\>
+
+Import the OpenVPN shared secret stored in file to the VyOS CLI.
+```
+
+#### ACME
+
+The VyOS PKI subsystem can also be used to automatically retrieve Certificates
+using the {abbr}`ACME (Automatic Certificate Management Environment)` protocol.
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> acme domain-name \<name\>
+
+Domain names to apply, multiple domain-names can be specified.
+
+This is a mandatory option
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> acme email \<address\>
+
+Email used for registration and recovery contact.
+
+This is a mandatory option
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> acme listen-address \<address\>
+
+The address the server listens to during http-01 challenge
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> acme rsa-key-size \<2048 | 3072 | 4096\>
+
+Size of the RSA key.
+
+This options defaults to 2048
+```
+
+```{cfgcmd} set pki certificate \<name\> acme url \<url\>
+
+ACME Directory Resource URI.
+
+This defaults to https://acme-v02.api.letsencrypt.org/directory
+
+:::{note}
+During initial deployment we recommend using the staging API
+of LetsEncrypt to prevent and blacklisting of your system. The API
+endpoint is https://acme-staging-v02.api.letsencrypt.org/directory
+:::
+```
+
+## Operation
+
+VyOS operational mode commands are not only available for generating keys but
+also to display them.
+
+```{opcmd} show pki ca
+
+Show a list of installed {abbr}`CA (Certificate Authority)` certificates.
+
+:::{code-block} none
+vyos@vyos:~$ show pki ca
+Certificate Authorities:
+Name Subject Issuer CN Issued Expiry Private Key Parent
+-------------- ------------------------------------------------------- ----------------- ------------------- ------------------- ------------- --------------
+DST_Root_CA_X3 CN=ISRG Root X1,O=Internet Security Research Group,C=US CN=DST Root CA X3 2021-01-20 19:14:03 2024-09-30 18:14:03 No N/A
+R3 CN=R3,O=Let's Encrypt,C=US CN=ISRG Root X1 2020-09-04 00:00:00 2025-09-15 16:00:00 No DST_Root_CA_X3
+vyos_rw CN=VyOS RW CA,O=VyOS,L=Some-City,ST=Some-State,C=GB CN=VyOS RW CA 2021-07-05 13:46:03 2026-07-04 13:46:03 Yes N/A
+:::
+```
+
+```{opcmd} show pki ca \<name\>
+
+Show only information for specified Certificate Authority.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} show pki certificate
+
+Show a list of installed certificates
+
+:::{code-block} none
+vyos@vyos:~$ show pki certificate
+Certificates:
+Name Type Subject CN Issuer CN Issued Expiry Revoked Private Key CA Present
+--------- ------ --------------------- ------------- ------------------- ------------------- --------- ------------- -------------
+ac2 Server CN=ac2.vyos.net CN=R3 2021-07-05 07:29:59 2021-10-03 07:29:58 No Yes Yes (R3)
+rw_server Server CN=VyOS RW CN=VyOS RW CA 2021-07-05 13:48:02 2022-07-05 13:48:02 No Yes Yes (vyos_rw)
+:::
+```
+
+```{opcmd} show pki certificate \<name\>
+
+Show only information for specified certificate.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} show pki crl
+
+Show a list of installed {abbr}`CRLs (Certificate Revocation List)`.
+```
+
+```{opcmd} renew certbot
+
+Manually trigger certificate renewal. This will be done twice a day.
+```
+
+## Examples
+
+### Create a CA chain and leaf certificates
+
+This configuration generates & installs into the VyOS PKI system a root
+certificate authority, alongside two intermediary certificate authorities for
+client & server certificates. These CAs are then used to generate a server
+certificate for the router, and a client certificate for a user.
+- `vyos_root_ca` is the root certificate authority.
+- `vyos_client_ca` and `vyos_server_ca` are intermediary certificate authorities,
+ which are signed by the root CA.
+- `vyos_cert` is a leaf server certificate used to identify the VyOS router,
+ signed by the server intermediary CA.
+- `vyos_example_user` is a leaf client certificate used to identify a user,
+ signed by client intermediary CA.
+
+First, we create the root certificate authority.
+
+```none
+[edit]
+vyos@vyos# run generate pki ca install vyos_root_ca
+Enter private key type: [rsa, dsa, ec] (Default: rsa) rsa
+Enter private key bits: (Default: 2048) 2048
+Enter country code: (Default: GB) GB
+Enter state: (Default: Some-State) Some-State
+Enter locality: (Default: Some-City) Some-City
+Enter organization name: (Default: VyOS) VyOS
+Enter common name: (Default: vyos.io) VyOS Root CA
+Enter how many days certificate will be valid: (Default: 1825) 1825
+Note: If you plan to use the generated key on this router, do not encrypt the private key.
+Do you want to encrypt the private key with a passphrase? [y/N] n
+2 value(s) installed. Use "compare" to see the pending changes, and "commit" to apply.
+```
+
+Secondly, we create the intermediary certificate authorities, which are used to
+sign the leaf certificates.
+
+```none
+[edit]
+vyos@vyos# run generate pki ca sign vyos_root_ca install vyos_server_ca
+Do you already have a certificate request? [y/N] n
+Enter private key type: [rsa, dsa, ec] (Default: rsa) rsa
+Enter private key bits: (Default: 2048) 2048
+Enter country code: (Default: GB) GB
+Enter state: (Default: Some-State) Some-State
+Enter locality: (Default: Some-City) Some-City
+Enter organization name: (Default: VyOS) VyOS
+Enter common name: (Default: vyos.io) VyOS Intermediary Server CA
+Enter how many days certificate will be valid: (Default: 1825) 1095
+Note: If you plan to use the generated key on this router, do not encrypt the private key.
+Do you want to encrypt the private key with a passphrase? [y/N] n
+2 value(s) installed. Use "compare" to see the pending changes, and "commit" to apply.
+
+
+[edit]
+vyos@vyos# run generate pki ca sign vyos_root_ca install vyos_client_ca
+Do you already have a certificate request? [y/N] n
+Enter private key type: [rsa, dsa, ec] (Default: rsa) rsa
+Enter private key bits: (Default: 2048) 2048
+Enter country code: (Default: GB) GB
+Enter state: (Default: Some-State) Some-State
+Enter locality: (Default: Some-City) Some-City
+Enter organization name: (Default: VyOS) VyOS
+Enter common name: (Default: vyos.io) VyOS Intermediary Client CA
+Enter how many days certificate will be valid: (Default: 1825) 1095
+Note: If you plan to use the generated key on this router, do not encrypt the private key.
+Do you want to encrypt the private key with a passphrase? [y/N] n
+2 value(s) installed. Use "compare" to see the pending changes, and "commit" to apply.
+```
+
+Lastly, we can create the leaf certificates that devices and users will utilise.
+
+```none
+[edit]
+vyos@vyos# run generate pki certificate sign vyos_server_ca install vyos_cert
+Do you already have a certificate request? [y/N] n
+Enter private key type: [rsa, dsa, ec] (Default: rsa) rsa
+Enter private key bits: (Default: 2048) 2048
+Enter country code: (Default: GB) GB
+Enter state: (Default: Some-State) Some-State
+Enter locality: (Default: Some-City) Some-City
+Enter organization name: (Default: VyOS) VyOS
+Enter common name: (Default: vyos.io) vyos.net
+Do you want to configure Subject Alternative Names? [y/N] y
+Enter alternative names in a comma separate list, example: ipv4:1.1.1.1,ipv6:fe80::1,dns:vyos.net
+Enter Subject Alternative Names: dns:vyos.net,dns:www.vyos.net
+Enter how many days certificate will be valid: (Default: 365) 365
+Enter certificate type: (client, server) (Default: server) server
+Note: If you plan to use the generated key on this router, do not encrypt the private key.
+Do you want to encrypt the private key with a passphrase? [y/N] n
+2 value(s) installed. Use "compare" to see the pending changes, and "commit" to apply.
+
+
+[edit]
+vyos@vyos# run generate pki certificate sign vyos_client_ca install vyos_example_user
+Do you already have a certificate request? [y/N] n
+Enter private key type: [rsa, dsa, ec] (Default: rsa) rsa
+Enter private key bits: (Default: 2048) 2048
+Enter country code: (Default: GB) GB
+Enter state: (Default: Some-State) Some-State
+Enter locality: (Default: Some-City) Some-City
+Enter organization name: (Default: VyOS) VyOS
+Enter common name: (Default: vyos.io) Example User
+Do you want to configure Subject Alternative Names? [y/N] y
+Enter alternative names in a comma separate list, example: ipv4:1.1.1.1,ipv6:fe80::1,dns:vyos.net,rfc822:user@vyos.net
+Enter Subject Alternative Names: rfc822:example.user@vyos.net
+Enter how many days certificate will be valid: (Default: 365) 365
+Enter certificate type: (client, server) (Default: server) client
+Note: If you plan to use the generated key on this router, do not encrypt the private key.
+Do you want to encrypt the private key with a passphrase? [y/N] n
+2 value(s) installed. Use "compare" to see the pending changes, and "commit" to apply.
+```