CXL Memory Region Key Management for Secure Data Encryption

The patent divides the CXL memory system into multiple independent memory regions, each with its own dedicated data key and protection key. This segmentation isolates security management for each region, preventing key management complexity from affecting the entire system while maintaining strong security through region-specific encryption.

The patent introduces a key manager as an intermediary component that automatically handles key generation, distribution, and protection. This intermediary abstracts the complex key management operations from the memory controller and host system, reducing perceived complexity while enabling robust security through systematic key handling.

The patent implements independent protection keys for each CXL memory region by segmenting the key generation process. Each region receives unique device identification and address information that feeds into distinct protection key generation, ensuring security isolation while the modular architecture prevents overall system complexity from becoming unmanageable.

The patent uses parameter changes in the form of unique device identification and address information for each memory region to generate distinct protection keys. By varying these input parameters, the system automatically creates region-specific security credentials without requiring manual configuration or complex key management infrastructure.

The patent extracts the data key generation process from dependence on the system root key, using random number generation instead. This extraction isolates data keys from the master system key, preventing compromise propagation while the randomness-based approach simplifies key generation by eliminating complex key derivation chains.

The patent implements self-service key generation where each CXL memory region generates its own data key through random number generation within the key manager. This self-service approach eliminates the need for centralized key distribution and reduces key generation complexity by allowing each region to independently establish its security credentials.

The patent segments the CXL memory space into multiple addressable regions, each with independent security credentials. This segmentation allows flexible configuration and allocation of memory regions while maintaining security through region-specific encryption keys, enabling both scalability and security to coexist.

The patent creates a universal security framework that works across all CXL memory regions regardless of their specific configuration or usage. The key manager provides multi-functional security services including key generation, protection, and management that adapt to any memory region configuration, ensuring security remains effective as the system scales and flexes.