SSL Labs Grade B Result for Virtual Service on NSX Advanced Load Balancer

SSL Labs test shows grade B for a virtual service configured on NSX Advanced Load Balancer.

The Grade B result from SSL labs for a virtual service indicates the following issues:

• Inadequate security with modern clients (web browsers)

• Obsolete security algorithm used with older clients

• Minor configuration problems

Resolution

Replace the RSA certificate associated with the virtual service with the Elliptic Curve (EC) certificate. Using an RSA certificate instead of an ECC certificate lowers the SSL Labs test grading for the following reasons:

• ECC certificates are more secure than RSA certificates.

• ECC uses a smaller algorithm to generate ECC keys that are stronger than RSA keys.

RSA is considered less secure than ECC but is more compatible with a broader array of older browsers. ECC is newer, less computationally expensive, and generally more secure; however, it is not yet accepted by all clients (web browsers).

NSX Advanced Load Balancer allows a virtual service to be configured with two certificates simultaneously, one of RSA and one ECC. This allows the NSX Advanced Load Balancer to negotiate the optimal algorithm or cipher with the client. If the client supports the EC certificate, NSX Advanced Load Balancer prefers Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). ECDSA provides the additional benefit of supporting Perfect Forward Secrecy (PFS). PFS brings better security for a virtual service at a minimum additional computational cost.

For more information on SSL certificates on NSX Advanced Load Balancer, see SSL Certificates.