> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.futurex.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Apache HTTP Server

> Introduces the purpose and scope of integrating Futurex HSMs with Apache HTTP Server using PKCS#11.

This document provides information about using Futurex PKCS #11 libraries to configure our HSMs with Apache HTTP Server. For additional questions related to your HSM, see the relevant user guide.

## About Apache HTTP Server

Apache HTTP Server, typically referred to as Apache, is a free and open-source cross-platform web server software. Originally released in 1995, it is one of the oldest and most reliable web server software applications on the Internet, running 67% of all web servers worldwide. An open community of developers develops and maintains Apache with the guidance of the Apache Software Foundation.

### What is a web server?

The purpose of a web server is to serve websites on the Internet by using the HTTP protocol. The primary job of all web servers is to accept requests from clients and send a response to that request, such as the components of the page that a visitor wants to see.

### Using HSMs to protect Apache Server private keys

The Apache HTTP Server can work with private keys stored on HSMs, which helps prevent accidental key disclosure and man-in-the-middle attacks.

For secure communication through the HTTPS protocol, the Apache HTTP server uses the OpenSSL library, but OpenSSL does not support PKCS #11 natively. To use HSMs, install the **openssl-pkcs11** package on CentOS or the **libengine-pkcs11-openssl** package on Ubuntu. These packages provide access to PKCS #11 modules through the engine interface. You can use a PKCS #11 URI instead of a regular file name to specify a server key and use a certificate in the configuration file for the appropriate website.

## Guardian integration

The Guardian Series 3 introduces mission-critical viability to core cryptographic infrastructure, including:

* Centralization of device management
* Elimination of points of failure
* Distribution of transaction loads
* Group-specific function blocking
* User-defined grouping systems

See the applicable guide in the Futurex Portal for configuring HSMs with the Guardian Series 3, including PKCS #11 and CNG configuration.


## Related topics

- [Apache HTTP Server](/Integrations/KMES_Series_3/Data_protection/Apache_HTTP_Server/Apache_HTTP_Server.md)
- [Configure Apache HTTP Server](/Integrations/HSM/Data_protection/Apache_HTTP_Server/Configure_Apache_HTTP_Server.md)
- [Create an application partition for Apache HTTP Server](/Integrations/HSM/Data_protection/Apache_HTTP_Server/Configure_the_Vectera_Plus/Create_an_application_partition_for_Apache_HTTP_Server.md)
- [Before you start](/Integrations/HSM/Data_protection/Apache_HTTP_Server/Before_you_start.md)
- [Deploy the service](/Integrations/CryptoHub/Data_protection/Apache_HTTP_Server/Deploy_the_service.md)