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answers:

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What exactly is a BIO pair in OpenSSL, and how is it intended to be used? I've already checked the OpenSSL docs, but any details are few and far between. Thanks!

A: 

A BIO in OpenSSL is similar to a File handle. You use a pair of them to communicate with each other securely like you would with two sockets. The best explanation I've found is here.

I also got a lot of use out of Herong Yang's site a few months ago when I had to write an application using OpenSSL. The sections on creating and signing certificates using OpenSSL and keytool were a big help when it came to testing my application.

Bill the Lizard
A: 

I found the best way to learn about OpenSSL was to read "Network Security with OpenSSL" by John Viega, Matt Messier and Pravir Chandra, ISBN 059600270X. They have a whole section on how to create and use BIO pair with sample code.

Heikki Toivonen