System and method for transparent disk encryption
First Claim
1. A graphics card comprising:
- a plurality of registers, wherein each register stores a respective one of a plurality of keys;
a controller for receiving a request to make available at least a portion of an operating system (OS), receiving a given one of said plurality of keys, transferring at least said portion of said operating system (OS) in an encrypted format from a data storage medium to an encryption/decryption engine, transferring said given one of said plurality of keys to said encryption/decryption engine, and making available said operating system (OS) in a decrypted to format; and
said encryption/decryption engine for decrypting at least said portion of said operating system (OS) using said given one of said plurality of keys.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A data storage system providing transparent encryption. The data storage system has a hardware encryption/decryption engine and a register coupled to the hardware encryption/decryption engine. The register is for securely storing a key for encrypting and decrypting data. The key may not be read from outside the data storage system. More specifically, the key may not be read by the operating system. The user does not have access to the encryption key, but may have a password that is passed to a controller coupled to the encryption/decryption engine. The controller verifies the password and causes data received from main memory to be encrypted by the hardware encryption/decryption engine using the key. The controller also transfers the encrypted data to the data storage device.
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Citations
11 Claims
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1. A graphics card comprising:
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a plurality of registers, wherein each register stores a respective one of a plurality of keys; a controller for receiving a request to make available at least a portion of an operating system (OS), receiving a given one of said plurality of keys, transferring at least said portion of said operating system (OS) in an encrypted format from a data storage medium to an encryption/decryption engine, transferring said given one of said plurality of keys to said encryption/decryption engine, and making available said operating system (OS) in a decrypted to format; and said encryption/decryption engine for decrypting at least said portion of said operating system (OS) using said given one of said plurality of keys. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A graphics card comprising:
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a means for storing a plurality of keys so that said key cannot be accessed outside of said graphics card; a means for receiving a request to make available at least a portion of an operating system (OS); a means for accessing a given one of said plurality of keys; a means for receiving at least said portion of said operating system (OS) in an encrypted format; a means for decrypting at least said portion of said operating system (OS) using said given one of said plurality of keys; and a means for outputting said operating system (OS) in a decrypted to format. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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Specification