# Supported platforms for Forcepoint NGFW deployment

You can run NGFW Engines on various platforms.

The following general types of platforms are available for NGFW Engines:

- Purpose-built Forcepoint NGFW appliances
  Note: For information about supported appliance models, see Knowledge Base article 9743.
- VMware ESX and KVM virtualization platforms
- Microsoft Hyper-V virtualization platform (Firewall/VPN role only)
- Microsoft Azure cloud-based virtualization platform (Firewall/VPN role only)
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) cloud-based virtualization platform (Firewall/VPN role only)
- Third-party hardware that meets the hardware requirements

Note: When Forcepoint NGFW is running on a virtualization platform or a cloud virtualization platform, Master NGFW Engines and Virtual NGFW Engines are not supported.

For supported versions of virtualization platforms, see the Release Notes.

The NGFW Engine software includes an integrated, hardened Linux operating system. The operating system eliminates the need for separate installation, configuration, and patching.