How to enable SSL debug when using the WebSphere application server with RSA Identity Governance & Lifecycle
Originally Published: 2015-08-14
Article Number
Applies To
RSA Version/Condition: All versions
Platform: WebSphere
Issue
This debug could be used to troubleshoot connectivity from:
- The Access Fulfillment Express (AFX) instance to the application server.
- The application server to a collector.
- A browser connecting to the application server.
- Using an unsupported TLS version.
- No common SSL ciphers between the client and server.
- An unsupported or invalid certificate attribute.
- Deprecated certificate signing algorithm.
- A keystore referenced in the debug is different than what was expected.
Resolution
SSL Debug Trace for IBM WebSphere
CAUTION: These traces should be removed as soon as you have reproduced the problem and collected the trace. This debug trace generates a significant amount of events in the WebSphere SystemOut.log file.
- In the WebSphere Application Server (WAS) Admin Console, navigate to Servers > Server Types > WebSphere application servers, then select the server name.
- Under Server Infrastructure, expand Java and Process Management > Process definition > Java Virtual Machine.
- Add the following to the end of the Generic JVM Arguments box:
-Djavax.net.debug=ssl,handshake,data,trustmanager
- Save to the master config, and restart the server for it to take hold.
- This will add debug trace of the SSL handshake to the <Websphere installation>/<AppServer>/profiles/<profile name>/logs/<server name>/SystemOut.log
NOTE: To get useful/verbose messages, the IBM Trust manager may need to be changed from IbmPKIX to IbmX509. This setting is in the WebSphere Admin GUI under Security > SSL Certificate and Key Management > SSL configurations > Select Resource > Trust and Key Managers. The default trust manager for that resource can be changed using the pull-down menu.
Related Articles
Salesforce AFX Connector 'Update an Account' Capability fails to update additional Parameters in RSA Identity Governance &… 80Number of Views When is a wildcard certificate needed in RSA SecurID Access? 98Number of Views Do you need to upgrade Remote Administration if you upgrade your ACE/Servers? 6Number of Views Access Policy Examples 75Number of Views Add, Clone, or Delete an Access Policy 107Number of Views
Trending Articles
Downloading RSA Authentication Manager license files or RSA Software token seed records RSA MFA Agent 2.3.6 for Microsoft Windows Installation and Administration Guide Quick Setup Guide - Passwordless Authentication in Windows MFA Agent for Active Directory Mandatory Certificate Upgrade Required by 6th October 2025 for RSA MFA Agent for PAM, RSA MFA Agent for Apache, and Third … RSA Authentication Manager 8.9 Release Notes (January 2026)
Don't see what you're looking for?