Open a PKCS#11 KeyStore


PKCS#11 is a standard that defines an API for accessing cryptographic devices. In Java the SunPKCS11 provider wraps the PKCS#11 API and transforms it into the keystore API.

To open a PKCS#11 KeyStore:

  1. From the File menu, choose Open Special and from the sub-menu Open PKCS#11.

  2. The Open PKCS#11 dialog will appear. There are two ways to use a PKCS#11 library in KSE:
    1. If the SunPKCS11 provider has already been added to the Java Security properties file (this is described in detail in the Java PKCS#11 Reference Guide and also often in the documentation of the cryptographic device), then you can then simply select it in this dialog.
    2. Alternatively, KSE can register the SunPKCS11 provider itself, if you provide the path to the PKCS#11 library and the right slot index.

    Press the OK button when you have selected one of the two methods.


  3. Type in the KeyStore's password and press the OK button.

  4. The PKCS#11 KeyStore will appear as an additional tab.

Note that because PKCS#11 libraries are native code you have to make sure that both the JRE and the PKCS#11 library are either 32 or 64 bit.




Copyright 2004 - 2013 Wayne Grant, 2013 - 2017 Kai Kramer