> ## 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.

# Before you start

> Pre-installation checklist verifying environment compatibility and prerequisites for HSM setup.

Verify your environment meets these requirements.

## Supported hardware

* Vectera Plus, `7.2.x.x` or later.

## Supported operating systems

* Linux
* Windows

## Required access

* An account on the Vectera Plus with administrator permissions to create application partitions, identities, TLS PKI, and update system settings.
* Local administrator/root privileges on the self-hosted server where Bitwarden is installed.

## Network and firewall

* Allow outbound TCP port **9100**(default Excrypt port) from the server running Bitwarden to the Vectera Plus, specified by FQDN (for example, `hsm.example.com`) or CIDR (for example, `10.0.0.0/24`).

<Warning>
  TLS inspection or SSL proxies can break mutual TLS handshakes. Exempt the Vectera Plus FQDN(s) from inspection. Configure the Vectera Plus with a FQDN so the exemption applies.
</Warning>

## Other

* OpenSSL
* Bitwarden

<Note>
  Refer to the Bitwarden About Key Connector article ([bitwarden.com/help/about-key-connector/](https://bitwarden.com/help/about-key-connector/)) to ensure you understand the requirements for enabling Key Connector (such as having an Enterprise organization, a self-hosted Bitwarden server, an active SSO implementation, and so on).
</Note>