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ICE Radio and Telephony Gateway > ICE Gateway Deployment > Understanding ICE Gateway
Understanding ICE Gateway
An ICE Gateway is a component of the Instant Connect Enterprise (ICE) system. It is used to manage external server components for DFSI, ISSI, and Telephony.
This section covers the deployment of an ICE Gateway in support of DFSI, ISSI, and Telephony. If you are attempting to integrate ICE with a P25 system, or you are attempting to configure external Telephony, then an ICE Gateway is required, and these instructions apply to you.
Note: For instructions on deploying a Patch Server, Static Reflector, or Rallypoint, see ICE Agent Operation in the ICE Admin Guide.
About Docker Containers
ICE Gateway is deployed in a Docker container. A Docker container is a lightweight executable software package that includes everything required to run an ICE Gateway. Docker is used to ensure that all the components of the ICE Gateway that might be needed are present, even if they are not immediately used. This flexibility enables the ICE Gateway to interoperate with several types of radio systems, registrars, and PBX systems.
ICE Gateway Requirements
*A deployed and operational ICE Server. Refer to the ICE Server Installation Guide for instructions.
*Host System:
A virtual machine running Ubuntu, Redhat, or centOS.
*USB License Dongle
A hardware USB license key (dongle) is required for operation of a DFSI or ISSI Gateway. The key must be inserted into an ICE-accessible USB port on the Host VM. If you are using Ubuntu or deploying a Telephony Gateway, then the dongle is not required.
*Docker
Docker must be installed on the VM. You can verify Docker installation by using the docker --version command. If installed, it will return the Docker version number If not, then you must install Docker. See https://docs.docker.com/engine/install/ for installation instructions.
Airgap: If you are using Airgap to install offline, then you must first create an image. Follow the instructions in this document to install Docker while online, then follow the instructions for your VM software to create an image. Use this image for installing offline using Airgap.
*NTP Enabled
Network Time Protocol (NTP) must be enabled on any host running an ICE Gateway for DFSI, ISSI or Telephony. NTP ensures Gateways remain synchronized with the same time source as all other ICE components (ICE Server, ICE Desktop Clients, ICE Gateways).
Important: Ensure NTP is running on the ICE Gateway OS (DFSI, ISSI, Telephony). If times are not synchronized, then the gateway will stall and show as 'Stale' in ICE Desktop.
*ICE Server API Key
The API key for your ICE Server will be required during configuration. It can be copied from the ICE Desktop > Settings > License > API Key tab.
Airgap: Ensure you copy the API key and save it for offline installation.