The Management Server runs the management logics, stores the configuration and environment information, and provides management communications to the managed hosts. The installation and initial configuration of the server are described in Installing the Management Server and Initial Configuration.

The Management Server software includes a built-in, hardened web server. SSH Tectia Manager administrators manage the environment via TLS-protected web-based administration interfaces. The administrators may use remote workstations to connect to the Management Server via a standard web browser.

SSH Tectia Manager uses an SQL database to store the host environment structure, host information, host public keys, SSH Tectia Client and Server configurations, and administrator audit logs.

Alternatively, an existing installation of an Oracle database can be used via the built-in Oracle client functionality. Setting up the Oracle database with SSH Tectia Manager is described in Using an Oracle Database.

In very large environments (over two thousand hosts), Distribution Servers may be deployed within local subenvironments to share the load of management operations. Distribution Servers act as management connection proxies for the managed hosts, concentrating management connections and caching binaries and configuration files for distribution. They are low-maintenance software components with no management database or user interface, and can be deployed and configured by the Management Server. The installation and setup of Distribution Servers are described in Chapter 5.

To enable managing a host machine, a software component called Management Agent needs to be installed onto the host. This is described in Chapter 4.

The Management Agent requires a data file called the Initial Configuration Block (ICB). The SSH Tectia Manager administrator creates the ICB on the Management Server and it is delivered to the managed hosts along with the Management Agent software. For more information, see Chapter 4.