One-Time Setup
Before running GPU verification for the first time, you need to install NVIDIA’s official attestation tools. This setup takes about 2–3 minutes and only needs to be completed once per VM.Create Verification Directory
Create a dedicated directory to store the verification tools and scripts.
Create a Python Virtual Environment
Use a virtual environment to keep dependencies isolated and avoid conflicts with system packages.You should now see
(venv) in your command prompt.Install NVIDIA Attestation SDK
Upgrade Expected output:
pip, then install NVIDIA’s official attestation packages.Create the Verification Script
Create a Python script that collects GPU evidence and performs cryptographic attestation using NVIDIA’s SDK.
Verify the Installation
Confirm that the NVIDIA attestation packages are installed correctly.Expected output:
Setup Complete
You have successfully installed the official NVIDIA GPU attestation tools.What you have created:
- Directory:
~/gpu-verification/ - Virtual environment:
~/gpu-verification/venv/ - Verification script:
~/gpu-verification/verify_gpu.py - Installed packages:
nv-attestation-sdk,nv-local-gpu-verifier
Running GPU Verification
After completing the one-time setup, you can verify your GPUs at any time by following the steps below.Quick Verification
This verification process will take approximately 30 seconds.What Happens During Verification
The verification script performs the following steps automatically:Generating a Cryptographic Nonce
- Creates a random 32-byte challenge value.
- Ensures attestation freshness and prevents replay attacks.
Collecting Evidence from GPUs
- Queries each GPU for attestation evidence (typically takes approximately 20 seconds).
- Retrieves certificate chains directly from the GPU hardware.
- Collects firmware measurements for both the driver and VBIOS.
- Gathers all required cryptographic signatures.
Validating Attestation Evidence
- Verifies that certificate chains trace back to the NVIDIA Root Certificate Authority.
- Checks certificate revocation status using OCSP (Online Certificate Status Protocol).
- Retrieves Reference Integrity Manifests (RIMs) from NVIDIA.
- Compares runtime firmware measurements against known golden RIM values.
- Validates all cryptographic signatures to ensure integrity and authenticity.
What This Proves
When the output displays ✅ VERIFICATION SUCCESSFUL, you have cryptographic assurance that:- Authenticity: All GPUs are genuine NVIDIA hardware with valid certificate chains.
- Integrity: Firmware measurements match NVIDIA’s reference values, indicating no tampering.
- Configuration: Confidential Computing features are enabled and functioning correctly.
- Trust Chain: All certificates trace back to the NVIDIA Root Certificate Authority and have not been revoked.
Understanding Verification Results
Successful Verification Indicators
Your GPUs are successfully verified when all of the following messages appear:✅ “VERIFICATION SUCCESSFUL”✅ “Certificate chains are valid”✅ “Certificates are not revoked (OCSP)”✅ “Firmware measurements match golden RIM values”✅ “Hardware attestation passed”
- The GPUs are authentic NVIDIA hardware.
- Firmware is intact, unmodified, and matches NVIDIA’s reference measurements.
- Confidential Computing features are enabled and operating correctly.
- The system is suitable for running sensitive workloads.
Failed Verification Indicators
Contact support immediately if any of the following messages appear:❌ “VERIFICATION FAILED”❌ “Certificate validation failed”❌ “RIM verification failed”❌ “OCSP check failed (revoked)”❌ “No GPUs with Confidential Computing support found”
- The hardware does not support Confidential Computing.
- The system is misconfigured.
- Network connectivity issues are preventing access to OCSP or RIM services.
- A potential security issue that requires further investigation.
Troubleshooting
This section outlines common issues encountered during GPU attestation and provides guidance on how to diagnose and resolve them.Issue: "No GPUs with Confidential Computing Support Found"
Issue: "No GPUs with Confidential Computing Support Found"
Possible causes:Expected result:
The output should list NVIDIA H100 or H200 GPUs.If no GPUs are shown:
Contact support, as the virtual machine may not be provisioned with the correct hardware.
- The virtual machine type does not support Confidential Computing.
- NVIDIA drivers are not installed or are not properly loaded.
- Confidential Computing features are not enabled at the BIOS or firmware level.
The output should list NVIDIA H100 or H200 GPUs.If no GPUs are shown:
Contact support, as the virtual machine may not be provisioned with the correct hardware.
Issue: Network Timeouts or Connection Errors
Issue: Network Timeouts or Connection Errors
Possible causes:If access is blocked:
Update firewall rules to allow outbound HTTPS traffic (port 443) to the following endpoints:
- Firewall rules blocking outbound HTTPS traffic to NVIDIA services.
- No internet connectivity from the virtual machine.
- Temporary unavailability of NVIDIA attestation services.
Update firewall rules to allow outbound HTTPS traffic (port 443) to the following endpoints:
ocsp.nvidia.comrim.attestation.nvidia.com
Issue: Verification Takes Longer Than Expected
Issue: Verification Takes Longer Than Expected
Normal execution time:
- First run: 45–60 seconds (initial download of RIM files)
- Subsequent runs: 30–45 seconds (cached RIM files are reused)
- Network latency may be affecting access to NVIDIA services.
- Cancel the process using
Ctrl + Cand retry. - If the issue persists, contact support for further assistance.
Issue: “ModuleNotFoundError” or Import Errors
Issue: “ModuleNotFoundError” or Import Errors
Possible cause:
The Python virtual environment is not activated.Solution:
The Python virtual environment is not activated.Solution:
Issue: Package Installation Fails
Issue: Package Installation Fails
Possible causes:
- No internet connectivity during setup.
- Inability to reach the PyPI repository.
- Insufficient available disk space.
Support
Getting Help
If you encounter issues during GPU verification, follow the steps below to diagnose and resolve the problem. Recommended Troubleshooting Steps-
Review this guide
Most common issues and resolutions are documented in the troubleshooting section. -
Examine error messages carefully
Error output typically indicates the underlying cause of the failure. -
Verify prerequisites
Ensure that the NVIDIA driver is installed correctly and that GPUs are visible to the system. -
Collect diagnostic information
Gather the following information before contacting support:
Contact Support
When reaching out for assistance, provide the Virtual machine identifier, complete error messages, and the diagnostic files listed above.NVIDIA Resources
Official NVIDIA Documentation- GPU Attestation: https://docs.nvidia.com/attestation/
- Confidential Computing: https://docs.nvidia.com/confidential-computing/
- SDK Repository: https://github.com/NVIDIA/nvtrust
- Developer Forums: https://forums.developer.nvidia.com/
- NGC Support: https://ngc.nvidia.com/support