11.3.2. The certificate entity

MS manages the certificates, their accompanying keys, as well as the related CSR and CRL(s) as a single entity, therefore when using key, certificate, CSR or CRL in connection with MS, this single entity containing all of them referred. This is important to remember even if not explicitly stated in the text.

In MS, a certificate entity has two different names, these are:

  • Unique name: The unique name is the name used to unambiguously identify the certificate entity(and its different parts) in MS. This name does not appear in the certificate, it is required only for management purposes.

  • Distinguished name: The distinguished name (DN) of the owner of the certificate. (Sometimes only the Common Name part is showed.) See Section 11.2.2, Digital certificates.