Logic Repository Service for Configurable Hardware Security
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Solution Overview
Problem
Cloud computing providers face challenges in offering specialized computing resources while maintaining security and efficiency, as users' custom-configured hardware can potentially cause denial-of-service issues or data corruption due to faulty or malicious designs on shared computing facilities.
Innovation Solution
A logic repository service manages configuration data for configurable hardware platforms, validating user-designed logic to ensure compatibility and security by integrating host and application logic, using a sandbox environment to constrain application logic and prevent direct access to the interconnect, thereby reducing security and availability risks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If users are allowed to use proprietary or highly specialized hardware for executing computing tasks, then processing efficiency and task-specific performance are improved, but security risks and system stability deteriorate due to potential faulty or malicious designs
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a logic repository service as an intermediary between users and the configurable hardware platform. This service validates user-designed logic before deployment, acting as a mediator that enables specialized hardware usage while preventing malicious or faulty designs from compromising system stability. The validation process checks for security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues without restricting user freedom to use proprietary designs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements preliminary validation of user-designed logic through the logic repository service before the logic is deployed to the configurable hardware platform. This preliminary action includes checking for security vulnerabilities, compatibility with the host system, and potential denial-of-service conditions. By performing these checks in advance, the system allows specialized hardware usage while preventing reliability issues before they occur.
2Adaptability or versatility
If users are allowed to configure application logic directly on the hardware platform, then customization and performance are improved, but security risks increase due to potential denial-of-service attacks and data corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The logic repository service serves as an intermediary that mediates between user customization needs and security requirements. It validates user-designed logic for security vulnerabilities and compatibility issues before deployment to the configurable hardware platform, enabling customization while filtering out harmful designs that could cause denial-of-service attacks or data corruption.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies preliminary anti-action by proactively identifying and blocking security threats before they can affect the system. The validation process in the logic repository service detects potential denial-of-service conditions, data corruption risks, and other harmful factors in user-designed logic before deployment, preventing these harmful effects from manifesting in the first place.
3Reliability
If a sandbox environment is implemented to constrain application logic, then security and stability are improved, but system complexity increases due to additional validation and constraint mechanisms
Solution Approach 1:
The logic repository service performs multiple functions within a single unified system: validation of user-designed logic, storage of validated logic, management of configurable hardware platforms, and enforcement of security constraints. By consolidating these functions, the patent reduces overall system complexity compared to having separate mechanisms for each function while maintaining comprehensive security and stability protections.
Data Source
AI summary
The following description is directed to a logic repository service. In one example, a method of a logic repository service can include receiving a first request to generate configuration data for configurable hardware using a specification for application logic of the configurable hardware. The method can include generating the configuration data for the configurable hardware. The configuration data can include data for implementing the application logic. The method can include receiving a second request to download the configuration data to a host server computer comprising the configurable hardware. The method can include transmitting the configuration data to the host server computer in response to the second request so that the configurable hardware is configured with the host logic and the application logic.