Getting SSL running in Joomla! 1.5.x Tribulations

...on XP and Vista.
"Heart attack!" is an understatement while at 5am as I was trying to beat the EST crowd and my dedicated server "seemingly" disappeared. I had been working for about 5 hours installing SSL, testing, and everything was great on Ubuntu. I FTP'd from a Vista x64 rig to the box and BAM...the whole server's HTTP was inaccessible, at least from every hard wired Windows rig on my home network.

This was the day I discovered exactly how valuable my Android G1 cell has become to my profession. I could go on and on about the things I tried. People I called. Research I bared. Once I found the culprut, I intended to prove it by retaking steps to make this bug rear it's ugly head.

If this happens to you, don't think cPanel has banned your ip. Don't fret, your router isn't tossing a fit on your windows machines. Don't dig in your SSL, though deleting old crts out of your browsers is probably a great idea.

It's harsh, but it had to be done. Yep, it's the Vista Firewall...go hit the big "RESET to Default" button to get back to work.

Great! So, now "we" have all the little pieces of SSL in place on the dedicated server, including a dedicated IP. I fired up Joomla! Admin, and bingo-rama what a sweet treat! It actually behaves rather nicely when the server is properly configured, according to my tricorder.;}.

If you're having problems getting HTTPS running in Joomla! 1.5.x, start with your SSL and make sure it's 100% on the server. My only gripe to date is when I use the link to "Preview" the site, it maintains the "https" in the new or tabbed windows...something I'll have to investigate.

Tips:.htaccess, purchased SSL cert, dedicated IP for your website, cache management, update all applications locally to the new dedicated IP, dump old browser certs.