> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.hivel.ai/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.hivel.ai/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/hivel-on-premises-deployment-guide-aws/prerequisites-overview.md).

# Prerequisites - Overview

Hivel runs as Docker containers on a single EC2 instance, backed by a managed PostgreSQL database in Amazon RDS.

### **Architecture**

* **Compute:** EC2 instance running Docker containers
* **Database:** Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL (managed)

### **Data Flow**

Integration traffic (Jira/GitHub/GitLab webhooks or polling) → API Gateway → Services → RDS

The UI talks to the API Gateway. The API Gateway validates sessions with the Auth Service.

### **Network Access**

Outside your VPC, traffic is outbound only:

* Hivel's ECR (pull Docker images)
* Hivel's S3 bucket (download installer, one-time only)
* Your connected engineering tools (Jira, GitHub, GitLab, etc.)

See [Network Requirements](https://docs.hivel.ai/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/hivel-on-premises-deployment-guide-aws/prerequisites-overview/verify-prerequisites-before-starting-network-requirements) for the full breakdown.

### **Before You Start**

Review these pages to confirm you're ready:

1. [Deployment Decision Guide](https://docs.hivel.ai/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/hivel-on-premises-deployment-guide-aws/prerequisites-overview/deployment-decision-guide-what-you-need-before-starting): Three key decisions and pre-deployment checklist
2. [Verify Prerequisites](https://docs.hivel.ai/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/hivel-on-premises-deployment-guide-aws/prerequisites-overview/verify-prerequisites-before-starting-network-requirements):  Version checks and network requirements
3. [Verify EC2 Instance Requirements](https://docs.hivel.ai/self-managed-hivel-deployment/virtual-private-cloud/aws/hivel-on-premises-deployment-guide-aws/prerequisites-overview/ec2-instance-requirements-resource-sizing):  VM size, OS, storage, and required ports

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