Framework EDI Reference. eSecurityConsole Utility
Cryptographic Service Providers

All Microsoft Windows operating systems, except for Windows 95 (R), allow third party vendors to supply their own security services to the system.  These services are stored in the operating system and are identified uniquely by their Cryptographic Service Provider name.  Each Cryptographic Service Provider (CSP) contain the following:

• Key Containers.  Key containers reside in a database that contains block of records, each containing at most two public/private key pairs: a key exchange pair and/or digital signature pair.
• Algorithms.  Algorithms are used in cryptographic services such as encryption, authentication and digital signature.  Only the algorithms listed are supported by the CSP.

To list CSPs available in the system, click the following in the toolbox menu.

Alternatively, to access these using the menu, click the following

• Service Providers User Key Set.  List of CSPs available to the logged on user.
  • Menu: View > Cryptographic Service Providers > User Key Set
    
• Service Providers Machine Key Set.  List of CSPs available to the local machine..
  • Menu: View > Cryptographic Service Providers > Machine Key Set
    

NOTE: In Machine Key Set mode, enumerating CSPs on the local machine may take a while to complete.

To list all algorithms supported by a CSP:

1. Expand the branch having the CSP name, and if algorithms are supported, an item "Algorithms" under the branch should be displayed.
2. Expand the "Algorithms" branch, and all the supported algorithms of the CSP are listed.

Each CSP also lists all key containers available in its key container database.  Key containers hold, at most, two  public/private key pairs for use in public key encryption and digital signing -- Key Exchange and Digital Signature.

To list all key containers in a CSP:

1. Expand the branch having the CSP name, and an item "Key Containers" under the branch should be displayed.
2. Expand the "Key Containers" branch, and all key containers in the CSP are displayed.  

   NOTE:  In User Key Set mode, only the key containers that are accessible to the logged on user are displayed; Machine Key Set mode lists all key containers available to the local machine.  Also note that some key containers available to the logged on user, may not be available to the local machine; and vice versa.

NOTE:  The eSecurityConsole does not add or install additional CSP to the system.