Offline Hardware Feature Activation via CSME Digital Receipts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for activating hardware features in computer microchips require an active public network connection and maintenance of secure server appliances at manufacturing facilities, which is costly and prone to malicious attacks.
Innovation Solution
A system for secure offline hardware feature activation that allows OEMs to configure and activate hardware features without an active network connection, using embedded firmware and a converged security and manageability engine to generate digital receipts signed with unique device keys, enabling secure monitoring and billing for activated features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If secure server appliances are maintained at manufacturing facilities for hardware feature activation, then hardware features can be activated securely, but the cost and complexity of maintaining these servers increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the secure activation functionality from external server appliances and embeds it directly into the processor's firmware. The converged security and manageability engine (CSME) and configuration engine are integrated into the processor itself, eliminating the need for separate secure server appliances at manufacturing facilities. This allows secure hardware feature activation to occur offline without external server infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The processor performs self-activation of hardware features through its integrated configuration engine and CSME. The system uses self-contained cryptographic capabilities including device keys stored in secure elements, allowing the processor to autonomously generate digital signatures and verify activation requests without requiring external secure servers. This self-service capability eliminates the complexity of maintaining external server infrastructure.
2Reliability
If active public network connection is required for hardware feature activation, then secure activation can be achieved, but the activation process becomes slower and more prone to network attacks
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by pre-provisioning each processor with unique device keys and cryptographic credentials during manufacturing. The CSME is pre-configured with security parameters and the processor is prepared to perform secure activation operations offline. This preliminary setup enables immediate secure activation without requiring real-time network connection to external servers, thus reducing activation time while maintaining security.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple SKUs are manufactured to meet different customer demands, then customer needs can be satisfied, but the manufacturing complexity and inventory costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic configuration by allowing hardware features to be activated or deactivated through software control rather than fixed manufacturing configurations. The configuration engine can dynamically enable or disable specific hardware features (such as USB 3.0, SATA, PCIe lanes) based on customer orders or market demands. This dynamic approach allows a single processor design to serve multiple customer needs, eliminating the requirement for multiple static SKU variants and reducing inventory complexity.
Data Source
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AI summary
Technologies for secure offline activation of hardware features include a target computing device having a platform controller hub (PCH) including a converged security and manageability engine (CSME) and a number of in-field programmable fuses (IFPs). During assembly of the target computing device by an original equipment manufacturer (OEM), the CSME is provided a list of hardware features to be activated. The CSME configures the IFPs to enable the requested features, generates a digital receipt including the activated features and a unique device ID, and signs the receipt using a unique device key. Signed receipts may be periodically submitted to a vendor computing device, which verifies the signed receipts, extracts the active feature list, and bills the OEM for activated features of the PCHs. The vendor computing device may bill the OEM a maximum price for PCHs for which there is no associated signed receipt. Other embodiments are described and claimed.