Before you install the software

Preparatory tasks before installing software

Perform any of the necessary preparatory tasks described in this section before installing the Security World Software.

Windows

Power saving options

Adjust your computers power saving setting to prevent sleep mode.

Install Microsoft security updates

Make sure that you have installed the latest Microsoft security updates. Information about Microsoft security updates is available from http://www.microsoft.com/security/.

Linux

Install operating environment patches

Make sure that you have installed the latest recommended patches. See the documentation supplied with your operating environment for information.

Users and groups

The installer automatically creates the following group and users if they do not exist. If you wish to create them manually, you should do so before running the installer. Create the following, as required:

  • The nfast user in the nfast group, using /opt/nfast as the home directory.

  • If you are installing SNMP, the ncsnmpd user in the ncsnmpd group, using /opt/nfast as the home directory.

  • If you are installing the Remote Administration Service, the raserv user in the raserv group, using /opt/nfast as the home directory.

All environments

Install Java with any necessary patches

The following versions of Java have been tested to work with, and are supported by, your nShield Security World Software:

  • Java7 (or Java 1.7x)

  • Java8 (or Java 1.8x)

  • Java11.

Entrust recommends that you ensure Java is installed before you install the Security World Software. The Java executable must be on your system path.

If you can do so, please use the latest Java version currently supported by Entrust that is compatible with your requirements. Java versions before those shown are no longer supported. If you are maintaining older Java versions for legacy reasons, and need compatibility with current nShield software, please contact Entrust nShield Support, https://nshieldsupport.entrust.com.

To install Java, you may need installation packages specific to your operating system, which may depend on other pre-installed packages to be able to work.

Suggested links from which you may download Java software as appropriate for your operating system:

You must have Java installed to use KeySafe.

Identify software components to be installed

Entrust supply standard component bundles that contain many of the necessary components for your installation and, in addition, individual components for use with supported applications. To be sure that all component dependencies are satisfied, you can install either:

  • All the software components supplied

  • Only the software components you require

During the installation process, you are asked to choose which bundles and components to install. Your choice depends on a number of considerations, including:

  • The types of application that are to use the module

  • The amount of disc space available for the installation

  • Your company’s policy on installing software. For example, although it may be simpler to choose all software components, your company may have a policy of not installing any software that is not required.

On Windows, the nShield Hardware Support bundle and the nShield Core Tools bundle are mandatory, and are always installed.

On Windows, the Windows device drivers component is installed as part of the Hardware Support bundle. On Linux, the Kernel device drivers component is installed.

On Linux, you must install the hwsp component.

The Core Tools bundle contains all the Security World Software command-line utilities, including:

  • generatekey

  • Low level utilities

  • Test programs

The Core Tools bundle includes the Tcl run time component that installs a run-time Tcl installation within the nCipher directories. This is used by the tools for creating the Security World and by KeySafe. This does not affect any other installation of Tcl on your computer.

Firewall settings

When setting up your firewall, you should ensure that the port settings are compatible with the HSMs and allow access to the system components you are using. The following table identifies the ports used by the nShield system components. All listed ports are the default setting. Other ports may be defined during system configuration, according to the requirements of your organization.

Component Default Port Use

Hardserver

9000

Internal non-privileged connections from Java applications including KeySafe

Hardserver

9001

Internal privileged connections from Java applications including KeySafe

Hardserver in nShield Connect

9004

Incoming impath connections from client machines.