Before you start managing iOS devices using Desktop Central, you will need to create an Apple Push Notification service (APNs) certificate. This document will guide you through the steps in creating an APNs certificate from Apple portal and instructions to upload it in Desktop Central Web console.
Apple Push Notification Service enables over-the-air (OTA) communication between Desktop Central Server and your mobile devices. Any notification or configuration requests are routed through the APN service to the mobile devices. The devices executes the commands/ performs actions and respond directly to the Desktop Central Server.
APNs certificates can be created either from a MAC computer or from a Windows Computer. While the instructions vary for MAC and Windows, the sequence of operations that you require to perform remains the same:
Ensure that you have Administrator permissions on the MAC computer from where you generate a certificate.
Create a CSR
- Select Applications --> Utilities --> Keychain Access
- Select Login and choose Certificates link available under Category. From the top menu, choose Keychain Access --> Certificate Assistant --> Request a Certificate From a Certificate Authority
- In the certificate window that launches, enter the Email Address and Common Name. Select Saved to disk option and click Continue
- Choose where to save the file and click Save
A CSR has been created successfully
Getting the CSR Signed by Zoho Corporation
Send the CSR file that you have created above to Desktop Central Support to get it signed. the signed file will be mailed back to you.
Uploading the Signed Certificate to Apple Push Certificate Portal
The next step is to upload the signed CSR to Apple Push Certificate Portal
- Connect to https://identity.apple.com/pushcert from your web browser
- Sign-in using your Apple ID and password. It is recommended to have a separate Apple ID for this purpose.
- After logging in, click Create a Certificate
- Read and accept the terms and conditions
- Browse to select the signed file that you received from Zoho and click Upload
- After successful processing a new file signed by Apple will appear. Click download and save the file locally.
Completing the CSR and generating the APNs Certificate
- Double-click the Apple signed file to upload it to Keychain Access and to complete the signing request.
- Ctrl+Click to export the certificate and save the file in .p12 format. If you are not seeting the .p12 format to save, you are not exporting the file correctly.
- You are required to provide a password while exporting the certificate file. Make a note of the password that you provide; you will need this when you upload this file in Desktop Central Server.
Uploading the APNs Certificate in Desktop Central
- Login to Desktop Central
- Select MDM --> APNs Certificate
- Browse to choose the exported .p12 file
- Specify the password and confirm
- Click Save
Ensure that you have Administrator permissions on the computer from where you generate a certificate.
Create a CSR
- Select Start --> Administrative Tools --> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
- Select the Server name from the left
- Double-click Server Certificates
- Choose Create Certificate Request link available under Actions
- Specify the following in the Distinguished Name Properties dialog:
- Common Name: The developer name to whom you wish to associate the certificate
- Organization: Name of your company
- Organizational Unit: The department within your company like IT
- City/Locality: The city where you are located
- State/province: The state where you are located
- Country/region: The countryin which your organization is located
- Click Next to open the Cryptographic service provider properties dialog
- select Cryptographic service provider as Microsoft RSA Channel
- select bit length as 2048
- Click Next and specify a location to save the file.
- Click Finish
A CSR has been created successfully
Getting the CSR Signed by Zoho Corporation
Send the CSR file that you have created above to Desktop Central Support to get it signed. the signed file will be mailed back to you.
Uploading the Signed Certificate to Apple Push Certificate Portal
The next step is to upload the signed CSR to Apple Push Certificate Portal
- Connect to https://identity.apple.com/pushcert from your web browser
- Sign-in using your Apple ID and password. It is recommended to have a separate Apple ID for this purpose.
- After logging in, click Create a Certificate
- Read and accept the terms and conditions
- Browse to select the signed file that you received from Zoho and click Upload
- After successful processing a new file signed by Apple will appear. Click download and save the file locally.
Completing the CSR and generating the APNs Certificate
- Select Start --> Administrative Tools --> Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager.
- Select the Server name from the left
- Double-click Server Certificates
- Choose Complete Certificate Request link available under Actions
- Browse to select the .pem file saved from Apple Push Certificate portal and specify a friendly name. The friendly name is just for identification and is not associated with the certificate file.
- Cilck OK to install the certificate.
- Right-click the certificate and click Export
- Save the file in .pfx format. If you are not seeting the .pfx format to save, you are not exporting the file correctly.
- You are required to provide a password while exporting the certificate file. Make a note of the password that you provide; you will need this when you upload this file in Desktop Central Server.
Uploading the APNs Certificate in Desktop Central
- Login to Desktop Central
- Select MDM --> APNs Certificate
- Browse to choose the exported .pfx file
- Specify the password and confirm
- Click Save
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