.\" .\" $OpenBSD: SSL_CTX_new.3,v 1.2 2014/12/02 14:11:01 jmc Exp $ .\" .Dd $Mdocdate: December 2 2014 $ .Dt SSL_CTX_NEW 3 .Os .Sh NAME .Nm SSL_CTX_new , .Nm SSLv3_method , .Nm SSLv3_server_method , .Nm SSLv3_client_method , .Nm TLSv1_method , .Nm TLSv1_server_method , .Nm TLSv1_client_method , .Nm TLSv1_1_method , .Nm TLSv1_1_server_method , .Nm TLSv1_1_client_method , .Nm SSLv23_method , .Nm SSLv23_server_method , .Nm SSLv23_client_method .Nd create a new SSL_CTX object as framework for TLS/SSL enabled functions .Sh SYNOPSIS .In openssl/ssl.h .Ft SSL_CTX * .Fn SSL_CTX_new "const SSL_METHOD *method" .Sh DESCRIPTION .Fn SSL_CTX_new creates a new .Vt SSL_CTX object as framework to establish TLS/SSL enabled connections. .Sh NOTES The .Vt SSL_CTX object uses .Fa method as its connection method. The methods exist in a generic type (for client and server use), a server only type, and a client only type. .Fa method can be of the following types: .Bl -tag -width Ds .It Fn SSLv3_method void , Fn SSLv3_server_method void , \ Fn SSLv3_client_method void A TLS/SSL connection established with these methods will only understand the SSLv3 protocol. A client will send out SSLv3 client hello messages and will indicate that it only understands SSLv3. A server will only understand SSLv3 client hello messages. Importantly, this means that it will not understand SSLv2 client hello messages which are widely used for compatibility reasons; see .Fn SSLv23_*_method . .It Fn TLSv1_method void , Fn TLSv1_server_method void , \ Fn TLSv1_client_method void A TLS/SSL connection established with these methods will only understand the TLSv1 protocol. A client will send out TLSv1 client hello messages and will indicate that it only understands TLSv1. A server will only understand TLSv1 client hello messages. Importantly, this means that it will not understand SSLv2 client hello messages which are widely used for compatibility reasons; see .Fn SSLv23_*_method . It will also not understand SSLv3 client hello messages. .It Fn SSLv23_method void , Fn SSLv23_server_method void , \ Fn SSLv23_client_method void A TLS/SSL connection established with these methods may understand the SSLv3, TLSv1, TLSv1.1 and TLSv1.2 protocols. .Pp A client will send out TLSv1 client hello messages including extensions and will indicate that it also understands TLSv1.1, TLSv1.2 and permits a fallback to SSLv3. A server will support SSLv3, TLSv1, TLSv1.1 and TLSv1.2 protocols. This is the best choice when compatibility is a concern. .El .Pp The list of protocols available can later be limited using the .Dv SSL_OP_NO_SSLv3 , .Dv SSL_OP_NO_TLSv1 , .Dv SSL_OP_NO_TLSv1_1 , and .Dv SSL_OP_NO_TLSv1_2 options of the .Fn SSL_CTX_set_options or .Fn SSL_set_options functions. Using these options it is possible to choose, for example, .Fn SSLv23_server_method and be able to negotiate with all possible clients, but to only allow newer protocols like TLSv1, TLSv1.1 or TLS v1.2. .Pp .Fn SSL_CTX_new initializes the list of ciphers, the session cache setting, the callbacks, the keys and certificates, and the options to its default values. .Sh RETURN VALUES The following return values can occur: .Bl -tag -width Ds .It Dv NULL The creation of a new .Vt SSL_CTX object failed. Check the error stack to find out the reason. .It Pointer to an SSL_CTX object The return value points to an allocated .Vt SSL_CTX object. .El .Sh SEE ALSO .Xr ssl 3 , .Xr SSL_accept 3 , .Xr SSL_CTX_free 3 , .Xr SSL_set_connect_state 3