Storage Device Address Range Access Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Non-volatile flash memory systems face challenges in managing diverse access requirements among multiple applications, including security, bandwidth, and power consumption, leading to potential data compromise and inefficient resource allocation.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of address ranges with associated characteristic sets for controlling encryption, power consumption, and access permissions, where authenticated entities apply a first set of characteristics and unauthenticated entities apply a second set, allowing for customized storage device behavior and enhanced security and performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple applications share access to the same storage device, then storage space utilization is improved, but security and resource allocation control deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage space utilizationVSAvoiddata security
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The storage device is segmented into multiple logical partitions, each with its own access control list (ACL). This allows different applications to access specific partitions based on their needs while maintaining security boundaries. The ACLs further segment access rights within partitions, enabling fine-grained control over which applications can access which data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Different security and performance characteristics are applied to different logical partitions and address ranges within those partitions. Each partition can have customized encryption settings, power management parameters, and access permissions tailored to the specific requirements of applications accessing that partition.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Ease of operation

If access control is simplified for shared storage, then ease of operation is improved, but security control deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveaccess managementVSAvoidaccess security
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A unified access control framework is implemented that works across all logical partitions and address ranges. The same ACL mechanism and authentication processes are universally applied throughout the storage device, providing consistent security management while handling diverse access requirements through configurable parameters rather than complex different mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Productivity

If bandwidth is allocated for high-performance applications, then application performance is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveapplication performanceVSAvoidpower consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Power management parameters are dynamically configured for different logical partitions and address ranges based on application requirements. High-performance applications accessing specific partitions can be allocated higher bandwidth and performance characteristics when needed, while other partitions maintain lower power consumption settings, allowing the system to adapt power usage to actual performance needs rather than maintaining high performance continuously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2368190B1Managing access to an address range in a storage device
Publication Date: 2016.01.06 SANDISK TECHNOLOGIES LLC
  • EP2368190B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2368190B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2368190B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Enhanced configuration of security and access control for data in a storage device is disclosed. A request is received to access an addressable memory location in a storage media within the storage device. A set of addressable memory locations with contiguous addresses identified by an address range is associated with first and second characteristics. The first characteristic is applied if the addressable memory location is within the set of addressable memory locations, and an entity is currently authenticated to and authorized to access the set of addressable memory locations. The second characteristic is applied if the addressable memory location is within the set of addressable memory locations, and no entity is currently authenticated to and authorized to access the set of addressable memory locations. The set of addressable memory locations can also be a logical partition, where the first and second characteristics are stored in a logical partition table.