Method for securely merging multiple nodes having trusted platform modules
US8589672B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 14, 2008 |
| Grant date | Nov 19, 2013 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 19, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG06F2221/2105
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
Method, apparatus and computer program product are provided for operating a plurality of computer nodes while maintaining trust. A primary computer node and at least one secondary computer node are connected into a cluster, wherein each of the clustered computer nodes includes a trusted platform module (TPM) that is accessible to software and includes security status information about the respective computer node. Each clustered computer node is then merged into a single node with only the TPM of the primary computer node being accessible to software. The TPM of the primary computer node is updated to include the security status information of each TPM in the cluster. Preferably, the step of merging is controlled by power on self test (POST) basic input output system (BIOS) code associated with a boot processor in the primary node.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.