Subject Alternative Name (SAN) SSL certificates are also commonly called Unified Communications (UC) certificates.
Standard SSL certificates can be used with one hostname. UC certificates are generally used with Microsoft Exchange Server 2007 and 2010, however they can be used with any web server type to secure multiple, distinct hostnames with one certificate using the certificate “Subject Alternate Name” field.
The certificate Subject Alternative Name field allows you to create a certificate that is valid for multiple hostnames, including both internal system names and externally resolvable domain names.
What can you do with Subject Alternative Names?
- Secure host names on different base domains in one SSL Certificate. A wildcard certificate can protect all first-level subdomains on an entire domain, such as *.example.com. But a wildcard cannot protect both www.example.com and www.example.net.
- Host Multiple SSL sites on a single IP address. Hosting multiple SSL-enabled sites on a single server typically requires a unique IP address per site, but a certificate with Subject Alternative Names can solve this problem. Microsoft IIS 6 and Apache are both able to host multiple HTTPS sites using SAN certificates also known as Unified Communications SSL.
- Greatly simplify your Exchange Server 2007 SSL configuration. Using a SAN certificate saves you the hassle and time involved in configuring multiple IP addresses on your Exchange 2007 server, binding each IP address to a different certificate, and running a lot of low level PowerShell commands just to piece it all together.
Where can you see Subject Alternative Names in action?
To see an example of Subject Alternative Names, click the padlock in your browser to examine our SSL certificate. In the certificate details you will find a Subject Alternative Name extension that lists any Subject Alternative Names.
| Product | Validation | Delivery | Encryption Strength | Site Seal | Wildcard | Add'l Domains | Green Addressbar | Warranty | Security Scan |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comodo Multi-Domain EV SSL | Extended | 1-7 days | 128/256-bit |  | | 3 |  | n/a | |
| Comodo Multi-Domain SSL | Organization | 1-2 days | 128/256-bit | | | 3 | | n/a | |
| Comodo Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL | Domain | 5 minutes | 128/256-bit | | | 3 | | n/a | |
| Comodo PositiveSSL UCC/SAN | Domain | 3 minutes | 128/256-bit | | | 3 | | $10,000 | |
| Comodo UCC/SAN DV | Domain | 5 minutes | 128/256-bit | | | 3 | | $50,000 | |
| Comodo UCC/SAN OV | Organization | 1-2 days | 128/256-bit | | | 3 | | $50,000 | |
| GeoTrust True BusinessID SAN | Organization | 2-3 days | 256-bit | | | 5 | | $100,000 | |
| GeoTrust True BusinessID SAN EV | Extended | 2-10 days | 256-bit | | | 5 | | $500,000 | |
| Symantec Secure Site | Organization | 2-3 Days | 40/256-bit | | | max 20 | | $1,000,000 | |
| Symantec Secure Site EV | Extended | 5 days | 40/256-bit | | | www | | $1,500,000 | |
| Symantec Secure Site Pro | Organization | 2-3 Days | 128/256-bit | | | max 20 | | $1,250,000 | |
| Symantec Secure Site Pro EV | Extended | 5 days | 128/256-bit | | | www | | $1,500,000 | |
| Thawte SGC SuperCerts | Organization | 2-3 days | 128/256-bit | | | max 20 | | $500,000 | |
| Thawte Web Server SAN Certificate | Organization | 2-3 days | 256-bit | | | max 20 | | $250,000 | |
| Thawte Web Server SAN EV Certificate | Extended | 2-10 days | 256-bit | | | max 20 | | $750,000 | |
| Product | 1 Year | 2 Years | 3 Years | 4 Years | 5 Years | Add'l Domains | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Comodo Multi-Domain EV SSL | $206.49 | $361.13 | $71.44 | Order Now | |||
| Comodo Multi-Domain SSL | $82.78 | $144.64 | $206.49 | $24.02 | Order Now | ||
| Comodo Multi-Domain Wildcard SSL | $124.02 | $216.80 | $309.59 | $35.36 | Order Now | ||
| Comodo PositiveSSL UCC/SAN | $46.70 | $80.72 | $115.77 | $150.82 | $192.06 | $12.68 | Order Now |
| Comodo UCC/SAN DV | $82.78 | $144.64 | $206.49 | $20.93 | Order Now | ||
| Comodo UCC/SAN OV | $82.78 | $144.64 | $206.49 | $20.93 | Order Now | ||
| GeoTrust True BusinessID SAN | $175.57 | $306.49 | $438.45 | $569.38 | $17.84 | Order Now | |
| GeoTrust True BusinessID SAN EV | $288.97 | $505.46 | $37.42 | Order Now | |||
| Symantec Secure Site | $283.81 | $496.19 | $708.56 | $227.11 | Order Now | ||
| Symantec Secure Site EV | $670.41 | $1,172.47 | $577.63 | Order Now | |||
| Symantec Secure Site Pro | $680.72 | $1,191.03 | $1,701.34 | $597.22 | Order Now | ||
| Symantec Secure Site Pro EV | $979.69 | $1,713.71 | $876.60 | Order Now | |||
| Thawte SGC SuperCerts | $139.48 | $243.61 | $347.73 | $451.86 | $126.08 | Order Now | |
| Thawte Web Server SAN Certificate | $74.54 | $130.21 | $185.88 | $241.55 | $72.47 | Order Now | |
| Thawte Web Server SAN EV Certificate | $152.89 | $267.32 | $139.48 | Order Now |
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