Managing a secure platform using a hierarchical executive architecture in isolated execution mode
First Claim
1. A processing system, comprising:
- a processor to execute in an isolated execution mode in a ring 0 operating mode, wherein the processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a normal execution mode in at least the ring 0 operating mode;
memory responsive to the processor; and
a machine-accessible medium responsive to the processor, the machine-accessible medium having instructions which, when executed by the processor, result in the processing system performing operations comprising;
configuring the processor to run in the isolated execution mode;
configuring the processing system to establish an isolated memory area in the memory, wherein the processing system does not allow access to the isolated memory area if the processor is not in the isolated execution mode;
loading initialization software into the isolated memory area; and
providing a manifest for the initialization software, wherein the manifest represents the initialization software.
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Abstract
An example processing system comprises a processor to execute in an isolated execution mode in a ring 0 operating mode. The processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a normal execution mode. The processing system also comprises memory, as well as a machine-accessible medium having instructions. When the processing system executes the instructions, the processing system configures the processor to run in the isolated execution mode, configures the processing system to establish an isolated memory area in the memory, and loads initialization software into the isolated memory area. The processing system may provide a manifest that represents the initialization software. The initialization software may be verified, based at least in part on the manifest.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A processing system, comprising:
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a processor to execute in an isolated execution mode in a ring 0 operating mode, wherein the processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a normal execution mode in at least the ring 0 operating mode;
memory responsive to the processor; and
a machine-accessible medium responsive to the processor, the machine-accessible medium having instructions which, when executed by the processor, result in the processing system performing operations comprising;
configuring the processor to run in the isolated execution mode;
configuring the processing system to establish an isolated memory area in the memory, wherein the processing system does not allow access to the isolated memory area if the processor is not in the isolated execution mode;
loading initialization software into the isolated memory area; and
providing a manifest for the initialization software, wherein the manifest represents the initialization software. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 16, 17, 18)
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8. A method comprising:
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in a platform with a processor and a memory, configuring the processor to run in an isolated execution mode in a ring 0 operating mode, wherein the processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a normal execution mode in at least the ring 0 operating mode;
configuring the platform to establish an isolated memory area in the memory, wherein the platform does not allow access to the isolated memory area if the processor is not in the isolated execution mode;
loading initialization software into the isolated memory area; and
providing a manifest for the initialization software, wherein the manifest represents the initialization software. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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19. An article comprising a machine-accessible media having instructions which, when executed by a machine, result in the machine performing operations comprising:
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configuring a processor in the machine to run in an isolated execution mode in a ring 0 operating mode, wherein the processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a normal execution mode in at least the ring 0 operating mode;
configuring the machine to establish an isolated memory area in a memory in the machine, wherein the machine does not allow access to the isolated memory area if the processor is not in the isolated execution mode;
loading initialization software into the isolated memory area; and
providing a manifest for the initialization software, wherein the manifest represents the initialization software. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method comprising:
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in a platform with a processor and a memory, configuring the processor to run in an isolated execution mode in a ring 0 operating mode, wherein the processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a normal execution mode in at least the ring 0 operating mode;
configuring the platform to establish an isolated memory area in the memory, wherein the platform does not allow access to the isolated memory area if the processor is not in the isolated execution mode;
loading initialization software into the isolated memory area; and
providing a digest for the initialization software, the digest based at least in part on a hash value derived from initialization software. - View Dependent Claims (26)
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Specification