"keystore" File Type: PKCS12 and JKS

This section provides a tutorial example on how to use the 'keytool -genkeypair' command to generate a new pair of keys and self-signed certificate in a new 'keystore' file.

Originally, JDK only supports 1 "keystore" file type called "JKS (Java Key Store)" developed by Sun. Now JDK is switching to use the "PKCS12", which is a better accepted standard described in RFC 7292.

If you create a new keystore file, herong.jks, with the JDK 17 "keytool" command and run the "-list" command option, you will see "PKCS12" is listed as the file type:

herong> \progra~1\java\jdk-17.0.1\bin\keytool
   -genkeypair -alias my_home -keystore herong.jks -storepass HerongJKS

What is your first and last name?
  ...

herong> \progra~1\java\jdk-17.0.1\bin\keytool
   -list -keystore herong.jks -storepass HerongJKS

Keystore type: PKCS12
Keystore provider: SUN

Your keystore contains 1 entry

my_home, Apr 1, 2019, PrivateKeyEntry,
Certificate fingerprint (SHA-256): 72:23:53:A2:C7:1B:7C:65:DE:0A:...

If you create a new keystore file, herong.jks, with the JDK 7 "keytool" command and run the "-list" command option, you will see "JKS" is listed as the file type:

herong> \progra~1\java\jdk-7.0.1\bin\keytool
   -genkeypair -alias my_home -keystore herong.jks -storepass HerongJKS

What is your first and last name?
  ...

herong> \progra~1\java\jdk-7.0.1\bin\keytool
   -list -keystore herong.jks -storepass HerongJKS

Keystore type: JKS
Keystore provider: SUN

Your keystore contains 1 entry

my_home, Apr 1, 2016, PrivateKeyEntry,
Certificate fingerprint (SHA1): 8D:07:31:08:19:68:0C:21:09:88:2F:...

For backward compatibility, JDK 12 "keytool" command still supports "JKS" file type with the "-storetype JKS" option.

Table of Contents

 About This JDK Tutorial Book

 JDK (Java Development Kit)

 Java Date-Time API

 Date, Time and Calendar Classes

 Date and Time Object and String Conversion

 Number Object and Numeric String Conversion

 Locales, Localization Methods and Resource Bundles

 Calling and Importing Classes Defined in Unnamed Packages

 HashSet, Vector, HashMap and Collection Classes

 Character Set Encoding Classes and Methods

 Character Set Encoding Maps

 Encoding Conversion Programs for Encoded Text Files

 Java Logging

 Socket Network Communication

 Datagram Network Communication

 DOM (Document Object Model) - API for XML Files

 SAX (Simple API for XML)

 DTD (Document Type Definition) - XML Validation

 XSD (XML Schema Definition) - XML Validation

 XSL (Extensible Stylesheet Language)

 Message Digest Algorithm Implementations in JDK

 Private key and Public Key Pair Generation

 PKCS#8/X.509 Private/Public Encoding Standards

 Digital Signature Algorithm and Sample Program

"keytool" Commands and "keystore" Files

 Certificates and Certificate Chains

 What Is "keystore"?

 "keytool" - Key and Certificate Management Tool

 "keytool -genkeypair" - Generating Keys and Self-Signed Certificates

"keystore" File Type: PKCS12 and JKS

 "keytool -export/import" - Exporting and Importing Certificates

 "keytool -keyclone" - Cloning Certificates with New Identities

 KeyStore and Certificate Classes

 Secret Key Generation and Management

 Cipher - Encryption and Decryption

 The SSL (Secure Socket Layer) Protocol

 SSL Socket Communication Testing Programs

 SSL Client Authentication

 HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure)

 Outdated Tutorials

 References

 Full Version in PDF/EPUB