Solid State Storage Card Firmware Download via Volatile Memory
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Solution Overview
Problem
Pre-loaded firmware in storage devices poses a security risk as it is not controlled by the data center service provider, compromising data security for customers.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a solid state storage media card that does not come pre-loaded with firmware, instead using volatile memory to store firmware downloaded from a host controller, ensuring that the firmware is not stored in non-volatile memory and must be re-downloaded each time the device is power-cycled or initialized, allowing the service provider to manage and control the firmware.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If firmware is pre-loaded in non-volatile memory, then the storage device can operate independently without host controller, but security control is lost to the service provider
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the firmware from non-volatile memory and relocates it to volatile memory only, separating the permanent storage function from the executable code storage. This extraction eliminates the security risk of pre-loaded firmware while maintaining operational capability during powered operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The host controller acts as an intermediary that downloads firmware to the storage device's volatile memory each time the device is powered on. This intermediary mechanism ensures service provider control over firmware while enabling the device to operate with fresh, controlled firmware instances.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If firmware is stored in volatile memory only, then service provider maintains security control, but the device requires continuous host interaction for firmware updates
Solution Approach 1:
The storage device is designed to automatically request and load firmware from the host controller each time it is powered on, without requiring manual intervention or complex update procedures. This self-service approach simplifies firmware management while maintaining security control.
3Ease of operation
If firmware is pre-loaded on the storage device, then the device is immediately usable upon insertion, but the firmware cannot be controlled or updated by the service provider
Solution Approach 1:
The firmware is prepared and validated by the service provider in advance, then automatically transferred to the storage device's volatile memory when the device is inserted and powered on. This preliminary preparation ensures both immediate usability and ongoing control flexibility.
Data Source
AI summary
A solid state storage card includes flash storage devices for storing user data and a serial peripheral interface (SPI) flash storage storing a first set of machine instructions. The solid state card also includes a plurality of processor cores coupled to the flash storage devices and SPI flash storage device. Each processor includes storage for storage of a second set of machine instructions configured to cause one of the processor cores to respond to access requests for the flash storage devices. Upon power-up, no storage in the solid state card contains any of the second set of machine instructions. When executed by one of the processor cores, the first set of machine instructions causes the processor core to initiate a download of the second set of instructions from a device external to the solid state card.