Software prerequisites

nShield Containers requires Docker to be installed before you can use the nShield Container tools.

The hardserver and application images can be created without access to an HSM. Before you can begin using the containers in a deployment, you must complete the following steps:

  1. Set up the HSM(s). For instructions, see the Installation Guide for your HSM(s).

  2. Configure your container host machine as a client of the HSM(s). The container host machine is the machine on which you will run the nShield hardserver and application containers.

  3. To access and use cryptographic keys from a Security World, load or create the Security World on the HSM, and then map the key management data folder (kmdata) from the container host machine into the running application containers.

For more information about configuring and managing nShield HSMs, Security Worlds, and Remote File Systems, see the User Guide.