Interconnect Message Supervisory Unit for Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Computer systems face issues where processors execute incorrect instructions or retrieve data from wrong memory locations due to errors or unauthorized access, compromising security and reliability.
Innovation Solution
A supervisory unit is implemented to monitor and manage interconnect messages by storing them, comparing them to predetermined filter criteria, and selecting actions such as blocking or modifying them to prevent unauthorized access and ensure secure and reliable data transmission.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a supervisory unit is implemented to monitor and filter interconnect messages, then security and reliability are improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
A supervisory unit is introduced as an intermediary component between the processor and the interconnect. This unit includes a data store for storing messages, a comparison function for filtering messages against criteria, and control logic for permitting or blocking messages. The supervisory unit acts as a mediator that intercepts, evaluates, and controls message flow, thereby improving security and reliability without requiring modification of the existing processor or interconnect architecture.
2Reliability
If interconnect messages are stored and filtered through a supervisory unit, then unauthorized access is prevented, but message transmission time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisory unit performs preliminary filtering and validation of interconnect messages before they are fully processed by the system. By storing messages in a data store and applying comparison functions in advance, the system can block unauthorized messages early in the transmission path, preventing them from consuming additional processing resources and time further downstream.
3Reliability
If the supervisory unit blocks or alters messages based on filter criteria, then system security is enhanced, but loss of information may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The supervisory unit implements a feedback mechanism where filtered and selected messages are fed back to the processor through the interconnect. The unit continuously monitors message flow, applies filtering criteria, and adjusts its blocking or permitting decisions based on the comparison results. This feedback loop ensures that only authorized messages are transmitted while maintaining system security, and the continuous monitoring allows for dynamic adaptation to different message types and security requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
A supervisory unit configured to supervise interconnect messages passing to or from an interconnect is provided. The supervisory unit is configured to, on receiving an interconnect message: store the interconnect message in a data store; compare the interconnect message to predetermined filter criteria; and select, in dependence on that comparison, one or more actions to be taken with respect to the interconnect message. The one or more actions are selected from the group including: permitting the interconnect message to pass unaltered; blocking the interconnect message from passing and permitting the interconnect message to pass in an altered state; and performing the one or more selected actions with respect to the interconnect message.