N1C CSG unmanaged certificates

content/nginx-one-console/changelog.md

@@ -9,6 +9,12 @@ nd-docs: DOCS-1394
 
 Stay up-to-date with what's new and improved in the F5 NGINX One Console.
 
+## January 26, 2025
+
+### Config Sync Groups: Support for unmanaged certificates
+
+Config Sync Groups now support unmanaged certificates. You can reference SSL/TLS certificates managed outside of NGINX One Console in your configuration files while maintaining centralized configuration synchronization across all instances in the group.
+
 ## November 25, 2025
 
 ### Observability: Usage metrics data now available for Config Sync Groups

content/nginx-one-console/nginx-configs/certificates/csg-unmanaged-certificates.md

@@ -0,0 +1,122 @@
+---
+nd-content-type: concept
+nd-docs: DOCS-000
+nd-product: NONECO
+title: Unmanaged certificates in Config Sync Groups
+toc: true
+weight: 200
+---
+
+## Overview
+
+Unmanaged certificates are SSL/TLS certificates that you install and manage manually on NGINX instances. Unlike managed certificates that are uploaded and distributed through the NGINX One Console, unmanaged certificates are installed directly on individual instances and referenced by their file paths in NGINX configuration files.
+
+You are responsible for distributing, updating, and maintaining these certificates across your infrastructure.
+
+### Unmanaged certificates in Config Sync Groups
+
+Config Sync Groups (CSGs) in NGINX One Console ensure configuration consistency across connected NGINX instances. While managed certificates uploaded through the Console are automatically synchronized and tracked, unmanaged certificates follow a different model. 
+
+When you use unmanaged certificates in a CSG, NGINX One Console provides visibility without automated management. It does not synchronize the certificate files themselves. However, it tracks their metadata to help you verify consistency across instances and understand the state of your certificates.
+
+## How unmanaged certificates work in Config Sync Groups
+
+If you have unmanaged certificates with CSGs, consider the following factors:
+
+### Certificate tracking and visibility
+
+When you use unmanaged certificates in a Config Sync Group:
+
+- The NGINX Agent collects certificate metadata from each instance
+- The Console displays unmanaged certificates based on their file paths and metadata
+- Certificate consistency is determined by comparing certificate contents and file paths across instances
+
+### Consistent certificates
+
+When all instances in a CSG reference identical certificate files with the same file paths:
+
+- Their contents and metadata match across all instances
+- The CSG displays a single unmanaged certificate entry for that file path
+
+### Inconsistent certificates
+
+If certificate contents differ between instances, even when file paths are the same:
+
+- Each unique certificate appears as a separate unmanaged entry in the Console
+- Certificates are identified by their content and associated instance
+- The CSG displays separate certificate entries in the configuration
+
+If certificate contents are identical, but their file paths differ by instance:
+
+- CSG publication may fail if file paths referenced in the NGINX configuration files do not exist on the instance
+- The CSG configuration status will be out of sync
+- Instances may not receive proper configuration updates
+
+## Requirements for unmanaged certificates
+
+To use unmanaged certificates effectively in Config Sync Groups, you must address these issues:
+
+- **Manual installation**: Install certificates manually on each NGINX instance in the CSG
+- **Identical file paths**: Ensure that file paths referencing unmanaged certificates are identical across all instances
+- **Content consistency**: Maintain identical certificate file contents across all instances to ensure proper tracking
+- **User responsibility**: Take full responsibility for certificate distribution, updates, and consistency
+
+## Important considerations
+
+NGINX One Console still helps you track unmanaged certificates:
+
+### Certificate tracking
+
+- The NGINX One Console tracks unmanaged certificates by their content and file paths
+- When certificates are consistent across all instances, their contents and metadata match: as a result, a single consolidated entry appears in the CSG
+- If certificate content differs between instances, multiple unique unmanaged certificates are displayed as separate entries
+
+### Synchronization limitations
+
+- **No automated sync**: Unmanaged certificates are not synchronized by the Console
+- **Manual updates**: Certificates must be manually updated on each instance
+- **No validation**: The Console does not perform validation logic for unmanaged certificates
+
+### Configuration options
+
+If you don't want metadata tracking for unmanaged certificates, you can configure the NGINX Agent to ignore certificate directories using the `allowed_directories` setting.
+
+## Best practice: Convert to managed certificates
+
+To maintain consistent visibility and automated management across CSGs, consider converting unmanaged certificates to managed certificates by:
+
+- Convering them from unmanaged to managed
+- Leveraging the managed certificate solution for automated synchronization
+- Taking advantage of centralized certificate management features
+
+## Troubleshooting
+
+Seemingly minor issues can lead to problems with unmanaged certificates.
+
+### Certificate inconsistencies
+
+If you see multiple entries for what should be the same certificate:
+
+- Verify that file paths are identical across all instances
+- Check that certificate file contents match across all instances
+- Ensure certificates were installed correctly on all instances
+- Review NGINX Agent logs for any collection issues
+
+If CSG publication is failing or configurations are out of sync:
+
+- Confirm that all certificate file paths are identical across instances
+- Verify that referenced certificate files exist on all instances
+- Check NGINX configuration syntax for certificate references
+
+### Visibility issues
+
+If unmanaged certificates aren't appearing in the Console:
+
+- Confirm that the NGINX Agent is running and connected
+- Check that certificate directories are not excluded by `allowed_directories` settings
+- Verify that NGINX configuration files correctly reference the certificate paths
+
+## Related topics
+
+- [Manage Config Sync Groups]({{< ref "manage-config-sync-groups.md" >}})
+- [Add a file to a Config Sync Group]({{< ref "add-file-csg.md" >}})

content/nginx-one-console/nginx-configs/config-sync-groups/manage-config-sync-groups.md

@@ -329,6 +329,19 @@ The **Config Sync Status** column on the **Config Sync Groups** page provides in
 
 Monitor the **Config Sync Status** column. It can help you ensure that your configurations are consistently applied across all instances in a group.
 
+## Work with unmanaged certificates
+
+Config Sync Groups can work with both managed and unmanaged certificates. While managed certificates are uploaded through the NGINX One Console and automatically synchronized across instances, unmanaged certificates require manual installation and management.
+
+When using unmanaged certificates in Config Sync Groups:
+
+- **Manual distribution**: You must manually install certificates on each instance in the group
+- **Consistent file paths**: Certificate file paths must be identical across all instances for proper synchronization
+- **Visibility without management**: NGINX One tracks unmanaged certificate metadata to help you verify consistency, but does not synchronize the certificates themselves
+- **Status impact**: Inconsistent certificate file paths or missing certificates can affect the Config Sync Group configuration sync status
+
+For detailed information about how unmanaged certificates work in Config Sync Groups, including requirements, best practices, and troubleshooting, see [Unmanaged certificates in Config Sync Groups]({{< ref "/nginx-one-console/nginx-configs/certificates/csg-unmanaged-certificates.md" >}}).
+
 ## See also
 
 - [Create and manage data plane keys]({{< ref "/nginx-one-console/connect-instances/create-manage-data-plane-keys.md" >}})