Note : The <KEYGEN> element is Netscape specific.

The <KEYGEN> element is used to generate 'key' material to be sent along with forms. It's designed mainly for use with certificate management systems. When used, it displays a menu of key sizes, form which the user must choose, before submitting the form. When the form is submitted, a key pair of the chosen size is generated and the private key is stored on the users PC. The public key and challenge string (as specified in the CHALLENGE attribute) are then coded, digitally signed and sent as the value of a name/value pair with the form (the name being the NAME attribute of the <KEYGEN> element.

For example:

<FORM>
. . .
<KEYGEN NAME="somekey" CHALLENGE="1125983021">
. . .
</FORM>

© 1995-1998, Stephen Le Hunte