Software trusted computing base
US8176336B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Dec 19, 2008 |
| Grant date | May 8, 2012 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Mar 8, 2031 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L2209/127
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A software trusted platform module (sTPM) operates in a hypervisor, receives trust assurances from specialized hardware, and extends this trust such that the hypervisor performs trust attestation. The hypervisor receives a startup sequence validation from a TPM, or Trusted Platform Module. The TPM performs bus monitoring during a boot sequence of the computer system, records the startup sequence from the bus, and performs a hash on the sequence. The TPM performs an authentication exchange with the hypervisor such that the hypervisor authenticates the attestation of the computer system from the TPM, and the hypervisor, now delegated with trust assurances from the TPM, provides assurances to users via an authentication chain. The ATCB then performs the attestation of the computer system according to the attestation protocol much faster than the TPM. In this manner, the hypervisor operates as a software delegate of the TPM for providing user assurances of trust.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.