6.7

Table Of Contents
The following solution user certificate stores are included in VECS on each management node and each
embedded deployment:
n
machine: Used by component manager, license server, and the logging service.
Note The machine solution user certificate has nothing to do with the machine SSL certificate. The
machine solution user certificate is used for the SAML token exchange. The machine SSL certificate
is used for secure SSL connections for a machine.
n
vpxd: vCenter service daemon (vpxd) store on management nodes and embedded deployments.
vpxd uses the solution user certificate that is stored in this store to authenticate to vCenter Single
Sign-On.
n
vpxd-extension: vCenter extensions store. Includes the Auto Deploy service, inventory service, and
other services that are not part of other solution users.
n
vsphere-webclient: vSphere Web Client store. Also includes some additional services such as the
performance chart service.
Each Platform Services Controller node includes a machine certificate.
Internal Certificates
vCenter Single Sign-On certificates are not stored in VECS and are not managed with certificate
management tools. As a rule, changes are not necessary, but in special situations, you can replace these
certificates.
vCenter Single Sign-On
Signing Certificate
The vCenter Single Sign-On service includes an identity provider service
which issues SAML tokens that are used for authentication throughout
vSphere. A SAML token represents the user's identity, and also contains
group membership information. When vCenter Single Sign-On issues
SAML tokens, it signs each token with its signing certificate so that clients
of vCenter Single Sign-On can verify that the SAML token comes from a
trusted source.
vCenter Single Sign-On issues holder-of-key SAML tokens to solution
users and bearer tokens other users, which log in with a user name and
password.
You can replace this certificate from the vSphere Web Client. See Refresh
the Security Token Service Certificate.
VMware Directory
Service SSL Certificate
Starting with vSphere 6.5, the machine SSL certificate is used as the
VMware directory certificate. For earlier versions of vSphere, see the
corresponding documentation.
vSphere Virtual
Machine Encryption
Certificates
The vSphere Virtual Machine Encryption solution connects with an external
Key Management Server (KMS). Depending on how the solution
authenticates to the KMS, it might generate certificates and store them in
VECS. See the vSphere Security documentation.
Platform Services Controller Administration
VMware, Inc. 84