Obfuscated L2P Mapping for Secure Host-Assisted Memory Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Memory devices face challenges in managing large logical-to-physical (L2P) mappings due to limited controller capacity, leading to security issues and performance bottlenecks, especially with host-cached L2P mapping proposals that lack controller control over host manipulations.
Innovation Solution
Implementing obfuscated L2P mappings where physical addresses are encrypted, using host assistance to manage L2P mappings while validating data integrity and preventing unauthorized modifications, and pre-computing obfuscated table updates during idle periods to minimize user impact.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If host-cached L2P mapping is implemented, then performance is improved by reducing controller workload, but security deteriorates due to lack of controller control over host manipulations
Solution Approach 1:
The controller receives feedback about L2P mapping operations from the host and validates each operation before allowing it. This feedback mechanism ensures that even though the host caches L2P mappings for performance, the controller maintains security by verifying the integrity of each mapping change.
Solution Approach 2:
The controller acts as an intermediary between the host and the physical memory structure. It mediates all L2P mapping operations by validating host requests against expected states, allowing performance benefits while preventing unauthorized modifications.
2Adaptability or versatility
If L2P mapping size increases to support larger memory devices, then adaptability improves, but device complexity increases due to limited controller capacity
Solution Approach 1:
The host creates a copy of the L2P mapping table in its own memory space. This copying approach allows the host to manage large mappings independently, reducing the controller's burden while maintaining adaptability to large memory device sizes.
Solution Approach 2:
The system transitions from controller-only L2P mapping management to a distributed model where the host also maintains mappings in its memory space. This dimensional shift from single-point management to distributed management reduces controller complexity while supporting larger memory capacities.
3Reliability
If obfuscated L2P mappings are implemented, then security improves through encryption of physical addresses, but device complexity increases due to additional validation requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The obfuscation and validation mechanisms are applied locally at the controller level for specific critical operations, rather than throughout the entire system. This localized approach enhances security where needed while minimizing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
Devices and techniques for efficient host assisted logical-to-physical (L2P) mapping are described herein. For example, a command can be executed that results in a change as to which physical address of a memory device corresponds to a logical address. The change can be obfuscated as part of an obfuscated L2P map for the memory device and written to storage on the memory device. The change can then be provided a host from the storage.