matrix-docker-ansible-deploy/docs/prerequisites.md

# Prerequisites

- An **x86** server running one of these operating systems:
  - **CentOS** (7 only for now; [8 is not yet supported](https://github.com/spantaleev/matrix-docker-ansible-deploy/issues/300))
  - **Debian** (9/Stretch+)
  - **Ubuntu** (16.04+, although [20.04 may be problematic](ansible.md#supported-ansible-versions))
  - **Archlinux**

This playbook doesn't support running on ARM (see [this issue](https://github.com/spantaleev/matrix-docker-ansible-deploy/issues/299)), however a minimal subset of the tools can be built on the host, which may result in a working configuration, even on a Raspberry pi (see [Alternative Architectures](alternative-architectures.md)). We only strive to support released stable versions of distributions, not betas or pre-releases. This playbook can take over your whole server or co-exist with other services that you have there.

- `root` access to your server (or a user capable of elevating to `root` via `sudo`).

- [Python](https://www.python.org/) being installed on the server. Most distributions install Python by default, but some don't (e.g. Ubuntu 18.04) and require manual installation (something like `apt-get install python3`). On some distros, Ansible may incorrectly [detect the Python version](https://docs.ansible.com/ansible/latest/reference_appendices/interpreter_discovery.html) (2 vs 3) and you may need to explicitly specify the interpreter path in `inventory/hosts` during installation (e.g. `ansible_python_interpreter=/usr/bin/python3`)

- A `cron`-like tool installed on the server such as `cron` or `anacron` to automatically schedule the Let's Encrypt SSL certificates's renewal. *This can be ignored if you use your own SSL certificates.*

- The [Ansible](http://ansible.com/) program being installed on your own computer. It's used to run this playbook and configures your server for you. Take a look at [our guide about Ansible](ansible.md) for more information, as well as [version requirements](ansible.md#supported-ansible-versions) and alternative ways to run Ansible.

- Either the `dig` tool or `python-dns` installed on your own computer. Used later on, by the playbook's [services check](maintenance-checking-services.md) feature.

- An HTTPS-capable web server at the base domain name (`<your-domain>`) which is capable of serving static files. Unless you decide to [Serve the base domain from the Matrix server](configuring-playbook-base-domain-serving.md) or alternatively, to use DNS SRV records for [Server Delegation](howto-server-delegation.md).

- Properly configured DNS records for `<your-domain>` (details in [Configuring DNS](configuring-dns.md)).

- Some TCP/UDP ports open. This playbook configures the server's internal firewall for you. In most cases, you don't need to do anything special. But **if your server is running behind another firewall**, you'd need to open these ports:

  - `80/tcp`: HTTP webserver
  - `443/tcp`: HTTPS webserver
  - `3478/tcp`: TURN over TCP (used by Coturn)
  - `3478/udp`: TURN over UDP (used by Coturn)
  - `5349/tcp`: TURN over TCP (used by Coturn)
  - `5349/udp`: TURN over UDP (used by Coturn)
  - `8448/tcp`: Matrix Federation API HTTPS webserver. In some cases, this **may necessary even with federation disabled**. Integration Servers (like Dimension) and Identity Servers (like ma1sd) may need to access `openid` APIs on the federation port.
  - the range `49152-49172/udp`: TURN over UDP
  - `4443/tcp`: Jitsi Harvester fallback
  - `10000/udp`: Jitsi video RTP. Depending on your firewall/NAT setup, incoming RTP packets on port `10000` may have the external IP of your firewall as destination address, due to the usage of STUN in JVB (see [`matrix_jitsi_jvb_stun_servers`](../roles/matrix-jitsi/defaults/main.yml)).

When ready to proceed, continue with [Configuring DNS](configuring-dns.md).