Apparatus and method for unilaterally loading a secure operating system within a multiprocessor environment
US7024555B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 1, 2001 |
| Grant date | Apr 4, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 31, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F21/57
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
An apparatus and method for unilaterally loading a secure operating system within a multiprocessor environment are described. The method includes disregarding a received load secure region instruction when a currently active load secure region operation is detected. Otherwise, a memory protection element is directed, in response to the received load secure region instruction, to form a secure memory environment. Once directed, unauthorized read/write access to one or more protected memory regions are prohibited. Finally, a cryptographic hash value of the one or more protected memory regions is stored within a digest information repository as a secure software identification value. Once stored, outside agents may request access to a digitally signed software identification value in order to establish security verification of secure software within the secure memory environment.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.