The following Entrust solutions support a Hardware Security Module (HSM) for cryptographic operations.
- Certificate Authority (CA)
- Timestamping Authority (TSA)
- Validation Authority (EVA)
See the following table for supported versions.
Hardware | Client driver | Firmware | CA | TSA | VA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Entrust NShield Connect XC | 13.6.3 (FIPS 140-2 Level 3 mode supported) | 12.60.15 & 12.60.2 |
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Entrust NShield 5c | 13.6.3 | 13.2.4 |
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Thales Luna HSM 7 | 10.7.0 | 7.7.1-20 |
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General considerations:
- You do not need to install the client drivers because the solution already includes this software. However, these client drivers cannot be updated.
- You can only use 1/N card sets. A card set of, for example, 2/5 cards is not supported.
On high-availability installations with a cluster of several HSMs:
- You cannot use HSMs from different providers simultaneously, meaning that nShield and Thales HSMs cannot coexist within the same deployment.
- Entrust Validation Authority may experience the Thales TCT limitations described in the Thales TCT Universal Client Plugin Additional Information technical note dated May 28, 2025.
- Solutions using the HSMs must be redeployed after any loss of connection with the HSMs, such as after an HSM reboot.