Remote HSMs

A remote HSM is an HSM that is not connected directly to the host computer but with which the hardserver can communicate.

There is no specific limit to the total number of remote HSMs enrolled to a security world. However:

  • The number of PCIe and USB-attached remote HSMs in a security world is limited by the PCIe slots and USB connections the client machine can support.

  • There can be a maximum of 500 network-attached remote HSMs in a security world.

A remote HSM can be one of the following:

  • A network-connected nShield HSM that is configured to use the host computer as a client computer

  • An HSM to which an attended Remote Operator slot is imported for the hardserver’s unattended local HSM

    (Remote Operator feature only).

For configuration instructions, see Configure remote HSM connections.