> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.b2ihealthcare.com/authoring-platform-admin-guide/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.b2ihealthcare.com/authoring-platform-admin-guide/plan-your-deployment/software-requirements.md).

# Software requirements

### Operating System

The server-side components of the Authoring Platform are recommended to be installed on x86\_64 / amd64 Linux operating systems where Docker Engine is available. See the list of supported distributions by Docker:

{% embed url="<https://docs.docker.com/engine/install#server>" %}

Here is the list of distributions that *we suggest* in the order of recommendation:

* CentOS 7
* Ubuntu 20.04 (or 18.04)
* Debian 10 - Buster

### Software packages

Before starting the actual deployment of the Authoring Platform make sure that the following packages are installed and configured properly:

* Docker Engine
* [docker-compose](https://docs.docker.com/compose/install/)
* ability to execute bash scripts

### Firewall

Regardless of having a reverse proxy, the following port must be opened to let the Snow Owl thick client communicate with the Terminology Server:

* tcp:2036

In case a reverse proxy is used, the Terminology Server requires two ports to be opened either towards the intranet or the internet (depends on usage):

* http:80
* https:443

In case there is no reverse proxy installed, the following port must be opened to be able to access the server's REST API:

* http:8080