Boot Partition Hiding via Non-Sequential Logical Unit Identifiers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing memory devices do not effectively hide boot partitions from users, making boot code visible and potentially accessible.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a memory device architecture with a boot partition and additional partitions, where the boot partition is assigned a logical unit identifier that is not sequential with the identifiers of the additional partitions, thereby hiding the boot partition from users.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If boot code is stored in flash memory device, then system booting function is enabled, but boot code becomes visible and potentially accessible to users

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebooting functionVSAvoidboot code visibility

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The flash memory device is segmented into multiple logical partitions, with the boot partition separated from user-accessible partitions. This segmentation isolates the boot code in a dedicated partition that is not visible to users through standard file system operations, while still allowing the system to access it during the booting process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

A logical unit identifier mapping mechanism acts as an intermediary between the physical boot partition and the system's partition recognition. The mapping table translates logical unit identifiers to physical partition locations, allowing the system to access the boot partition without exposing it to user-level visibility through standard partition enumeration.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Object-affected harmful factors

If boot partition is made invisible to users, then boot code security is improved, but partition management complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveboot code accessibilityVSAvoidpartition management

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs self-service by automatically managing the boot partition through the logical unit identifier mapping mechanism. The mapping table is maintained and updated by the system itself without requiring user intervention or complex manual partition management, simplifying the overall management complexity while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Data Source

PatentUS9342371B2Boot partitions in memory devices and systems

Publication Date: 2016.05.17 MICRON TECHNOLOGY INC

AI summary

The present disclosure includes boot partitions in memory devices and systems, and methods associated therewith. One or more embodiments include an array of memory cells, wherein the array includes a boot partition and a number of additional partitions. Sequential logical unit identifiers are associated with the additional partitions, and a logical unit identifier that is not in sequence with the sequential logical unit identifiers is associated with the boot partition.