Configure end-to-end TLS by using Application Gateway with the portal

This article describes how to use the Azure portal to configure end-to-end Transport Layer Security (TLS) encryption, previously known as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) encryption, through Azure Application Gateway v1 SKU.

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Before you begin

To configure end-to-end TLS with an application gateway, you need a certificate for the gateway. Certificates are also required for the backend servers. The gateway certificate is used to derive a symmetric key in compliance with the TLS protocol specification. The symmetric key is then used to encrypt and decrypt the traffic sent to the gateway.

For end-to-end TLS encryption, the right backend servers must be allowed in the application gateway. To allow this access, upload the public certificate of the backend servers, also known as Authentication Certificates (v1) or Trusted Root Certificates (v2), to the application gateway. Adding the certificate ensures that the application gateway communicates only with known backend instances. This configuration further secures end-to-end communication.

To learn more, see Overview of TLS termination and end to end TLS with Application Gateway.

Create a new application gateway with end-to-end TLS

To create a new application gateway with end-to-end TLS encryption, you'll need to first enable TLS termination while creating a new application gateway. This action enables TLS encryption for communication between the client and application gateway. Then, you'll need to put on the Safe Recipients list the certificates for the backend servers in the HTTP settings. This configuration enables TLS encryption for communication between the application gateway and the backend servers. That accomplishes end-to-end TLS encryption.

Enable TLS termination while creating a new application gateway

To learn more, see enable TLS termination while creating a new application gateway.

Add authentication/root certificates of backend servers

1. Select All resources, and then select myAppGateway.

2. Select HTTP settings from the left-side menu. Azure automatically created a default HTTP setting, appGatewayBackendHttpSettings, when you created the application gateway.

3. Select appGatewayBackendHttpSettings.

4. Under Protocol, select HTTPS. A pane for Backend authentication certificates or Trusted root certificates appears.

5. Select Create new.

6. In the Name field, enter a suitable name.

7. Select the certificate file in the Upload CER certificate box.

   For Standard and WAF (v1) application gateways, you should upload the public key of your backend server certificate in .cer format.

   

   For Standard_v2 and WAF_v2 application gateways, you should upload the root certificate of the backend server certificate in .cer format. If the backend certificate is issued by a well-known certificate authority (CA), you can select the Use Well Known CA Certificate check box, and then you don't have to upload a certificate.

   

   

8. Select Save.

Enable end-to-end TLS for an existing application gateway

To configure an existing application gateway with end-to-end TLS encryption, you must first enable TLS termination in the listener. This action enables TLS encryption for communication between the client and the application gateway. Then, put those certificates for backend servers in the HTTP settings on the Safe Recipients list. This configuration enables TLS encryption for communication between the application gateway and the backend servers. That accomplishes end-to-end TLS encryption.

You'll need to use a listener with the HTTPS protocol and a certificate for enabling TLS termination. You can either use an existing listener that meets those conditions or create a new listener. If you choose the former option, you can ignore the following "Enable TLS termination in an existing application gateway" section and move directly to the "Add authentication/trusted root certificates for backend servers" section.

If you choose the latter option, apply the steps in the following procedure.

Enable TLS termination in an existing application gateway

1. Select All resources, and then select myAppGateway.

2. Select Listeners from the left-side menu.

3. Select either Basic or Multi-site listener depending on your requirements.

4. Under Protocol, select HTTPS. A pane for Certificate appears.

5. Upload the PFX certificate you intend to use for TLS termination between the client and the application gateway.

   Note

   For testing purposes, you can use a self-signed certificate. However, this is not advised for production workloads, because they're harder to manage and aren't completely secure. For more info, see create a self-signed certificate.

6. Add other required settings for the Listener, depending on your requirements.

7. Select OK to save.

Add authentication/trusted root certificates of backend servers

1. Select All resources, and then select myAppGateway.

2. Select HTTP settings from the left-side menu. You can either put certificates in an existing backend HTTP setting on the Safe Recipients list or create a new HTTP setting. (In the next step, the certificate for the default HTTP setting, appGatewayBackendHttpSettings, is added to the Safe Recipients list.)

3. Select appGatewayBackendHttpSettings.

4. Under Protocol, select HTTPS. A pane for Backend authentication certificates or Trusted root certificates appears.

5. Select Create new.

6. In the Name field, enter a suitable name.

7. Select the certificate file in the Upload CER certificate box.

   For Standard and WAF (v1) application gateways, you should upload the public key of your backend server certificate in .cer format.

   

   For Standard_v2 and WAF_v2 application gateways, you should upload the root certificate of the backend server certificate in .cer format. If the backend certificate is issued by a well-known CA, you can select the Use Well Known CA Certificate check box, and then you don't have to upload a certificate.

   

8. Select Save.

Next steps