> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://arize-ax.mintlify.site/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Prerequisites

> Cluster, storage, and node pool requirements before installing self-hosted Arize AX.

This document assumes you have (or will create) a Kubernetes cluster in GCP, AWS, Azure, or another supported environment: a supported control plane, worker nodes sized for your profile, two object-storage buckets for Gazette and ArizeDB, and a **block** storage class for volumes (non-NFS).

<Callout type="info">
  **Terraform modules and offline guides:** Each [Arize AX distribution](/ax/selfhosting/getting-started/download-and-unpack-the-distribution) (release tarball) includes **`terraform/`** with modules and **`docs/`** with the full Advanced → Helm and operational guides (open `docs/index.html` after extract). Use those paths for cluster layout, variables, and examples that match your release.
</Callout>

## Deployment types

Before you install, choose how your cluster reaches the distribution hub and container registries. See [Deployment types](/ax/selfhosting/getting-started/deployment-types) (Connected, Semi-restricted, or Air-gapped).

## Infrastructure

Key requirements:

* Kubernetes cluster
* Two storage buckets
* Storage class for the creation of volumes (use block storage, non-NFS)

Arize AI recommends two node pools to get started: a **Base pool** for basic functions and ingestion components, and an **ArizeDB pool** for historicals, which serve the data queried by the Arize AX UI. If you cannot use separate pools, Arize AX can be deployed on a shared set of nodes by specifying `historicalNodePoolEnabled: false` in `values.yaml`.

**Node labels** — match the diagram and your cloud’s node pool UI:

* **Base pool:** `arize=true`, `arize-base=true`
* **ArizeDB pool:** `arize=true`, `druid-historical=true`

The base pool can be configured for autoscaling.

<Frame>
  <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/arize-assets/doc-images/on-prem-install/Node-Pools-and-Auto-Scale-Simple.png" alt="Node pools and auto-scaling configuration diagram" />
</Frame>

## Cluster sizing

The sizing table is wide; scroll horizontally on small screens if needed. The largest sizing profile can be expanded by adding additional nodes in order to support a larger quantity of traces or inferences.

<table><thead><tr><th width="108"><code>\<sizing-profile></code></th><th align="center">High Availability</th><th align="center">Node Pool</th><th align="center">Min Nodes</th><th align="center">vCPU (per node)</th><th align="center">RAM (per node)</th><th align="center">Example Instance Type</th><th>Example Application</th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td>nonha</td><td align="center">No</td><td align="center">Base</td><td align="center">1</td><td align="center">16</td><td align="center">128 GB</td><td align="center">n2d-highmem-16(GCP)<br />r5a.4xlarge(AWS)<br />Standard\_E16s\_v5(AKS)</td><td>- Integration testing<br />- Staging enviroments</td></tr><tr><td>small1b</td><td align="center">Yes</td><td align="center">Base<br />ArizeDB</td><td align="center">3<br />2</td><td align="center">8</td><td align="center">64 GB</td><td align="center">n2d-highmem-8(GCP)<br />r5a.2xlarge(AWS)<br />Standard\_E8s\_v5(AKS)</td><td>- Hundreds of millions of traces or inferences</td></tr><tr><td>medium2b</td><td align="center">Yes</td><td align="center">Base<br />ArizeDB</td><td align="center">2<br />2</td><td align="center">16</td><td align="center">128 GB</td><td align="center">n2d-highmem-16(GCP)<br />r5a.4xlarge(AWS)<br />Standard\_E16s\_v5(AKS)</td><td>- Several billions of traces or inferences</td></tr></tbody></table>

## Workstation for install scripts

The distribution’s **`arize.sh`** install flows are documented and tested on **macOS and Linux** with Docker available. Windows is not documented for these scripts; use a Linux VM or WSL if your policy allows.

The Arize AX distribution documentation (under **`docs/`** in the tarball) lists the tools expected on the machine you use to deploy. In summary, you will need **Helm**, **`kubectl`**, **`curl`**, **`openssl`**, and **Docker** (recommended for image workflows). Use **Terraform** when you provision with the bundled modules; use your cloud’s **CLI** for day-one cluster and IAM tasks.

Release-specific notes may appear on [Self-hosted releases](/ax/selfhosting/on-premise-releases).

## Tool version guidance

These are **general** floors; your **distribution’s `docs/`** HTML for the exact AX release is authoritative if it differs.

* **Helm:** **3.x** (Helm 2 is not supported).
* **`kubectl`:** Use a client whose minor version is within about **one minor** of the cluster API server (standard Kubernetes client skew guidance). Run `kubectl version` and compare **Client Version** to **Server Version**.
* **Docker:** A **current stable** Docker Engine or Docker Desktop build for image mirror/push workflows.
* **Terraform:** **1.x** CLI when using the bundled modules; match any `required_version` declared under **`terraform/`** in your extract.
* **Cosign(Optional)**: To verify signed OCI images.

**macOS:** Prefer a **currently Apple-supported macOS** release on the machine that runs `arize.sh` and Docker—unsupported macOS may lack TLS or security updates your enterprise endpoints require.

## Verify required tools

Run the following from a terminal. Compare output to [Tool version guidance](#tool-version-guidance) above and to the distribution bundle’s internal docs for your release.

```bash theme={null}
docker --version
helm version
curl --version
openssl version
kubectl version
# Optional
cosign version
```

### Cloud CLIs (use one tab)

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="GCP">
    ```bash theme={null}
    gcloud --version
    gcloud auth login
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="AWS">
    ```bash theme={null}
    aws --version
    aws configure
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Azure">
    ```bash theme={null}
    az version
    az login
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="OpenShift">
    ```bash theme={null}
    oc version
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>