A CSR (Certificate Signing Request) is a specially generated file that contains all the information necessary to issue an SSL certificate – the domain name (CN), organization details (for OV/EV), the public key, and encryption algorithm information. Every Certificate Authority (CA) requires a valid CSR to verify the ownership or identity of a domain or company before issuing a certificate.

A CSR typically contains:

• Common Name (CN) – the primary domain name (e.g. example.com),
• Subject Alternative Names (SAN) – additional domains or subdomains,
• Organization (O) and Organizational Unit (OU) – for OV/EV certificates,
• Country (C), State (ST), Locality (L) – geographical information,
• Public Key and Encryption Algorithm Parameters.

It is not recommended. While technically possible, each SSL certificate should have its own unique CSR. Reusing CSRs decreases cryptographic security and complicates certificate management.

Yes. A CSR generated with our tool is compatible with all major web servers and hosting panels, including Apache, Nginx, IIS, cPanel, DirectAdmin, Plesk, and Tomcat. SSL certificates are platform-independent – the only requirement is that the private key and CSR match.

The HEXSSL CSR Generator creates both the CSR and its corresponding private key. The private key never leaves your environment – it is generated locally in your browser or on your server. HEXSSL does not store, transmit, or log any keys, ensuring complete privacy and compliance with best security practices.

If the private key is lost, the issued SSL certificate becomes unusable. You will need to generate a new CSR and private key pair and request a certificate reissue from your Certificate Authority. The old certificate must be revoked for security reasons.