Dual MBR Partition Visibility Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing memory devices lack the ability to securely keep a file system or partition private when connected to a host device, as they typically reveal all partition information, including sensitive data, to any connected host.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a dual Master Boot Record (MBR) system, where a public MBR is used to share accessible partition information while a private MBR keeps sensitive partitions hidden, using a management application to control and manage the visibility of partition settings based on user input and connection types.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a single MBR is used to manage all partitions, then the device is simple to implement and hosts can access all partitions, but sensitive partition information is exposed to unauthorized hosts
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the single MBR into two separate MBRs: a public MBR that contains information about accessible partitions, and a private MBR that contains information about sensitive partitions. This segmentation allows the system to maintain data security by hiding sensitive partition information from unauthorized hosts while preserving the ability to access all partitions when needed, thus resolving the contradiction between security and simplicity.
2Ease of operation
If all partition information is revealed to connected hosts, then hosts can access all data on the memory device, but sensitive or unused partitions become vulnerable to unauthorized access
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making different parts of the MBR structure have different visibility properties. The public MBR is designed to be visible and accessible to all hosts, providing ease of operation for common partitions. The private MBR is designed to be hidden from unauthorized hosts, protecting sensitive partitions from harmful factors like unauthorized access. This allows the system to maintain accessibility where needed while providing protection where required.
3Reliability
If a dual MBR system is implemented to hide sensitive partitions, then data privacy is protected from unauthorized hosts, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a management application as an intermediary that automatically handles the complexity of dual MBR management. This intermediary software component manages the switching between public and private MBRs, handles the logic of when to expose which partitions, and protects the private MBR from unauthorized modification. By offloading the complexity management to this intermediary layer, the hardware structure remains relatively simple while still achieving the goal of protecting data privacy.
Data Source
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AI summary
Disclosed is a method and apparatus for allowing a user to select, from a plurality of partitions on a memory device, which partitions may be visible to hosts connecting to the memory device.