Using an embedded controller (EC) integrated into a heterogeneous computing platform as a hardware root-of-trust (RoT)
AssigneeDell Products L.P.
InventorsAdolfo S. Montero, Daniel L Hamlin
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Systems and methods for using an embedded controller (EC) integrated into a heterogenous computing platform as a hardware Root-of-Trust (RoT). In an illustrative, non-limiting embodiment, an Information Handling System (IHS) may include: a heterogeneous computing platform having a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor and a plurality of devices coupled thereto; and an EC integrated into the heterogeneous computing platform, wherein the EC is configured to operate as a hardware RoT for at least one of: the IHS, or the heterogeneous computing platform.
Claims20
An Information Handling System (IHS), comprising:
- a heterogeneous computing platform having a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor and a plurality of devices coupled thereto, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is structured with at least one microcontroller programmed by device firmware instructions configured to execute in a respective device memory space distinct from any IHS host processor memory space;
- and
- an embedded controller (EC) integrated into the heterogeneous computing platform, wherein the EC is configured to operate as a hardware Root-of-Trust (RoT) for at least one of:
- the IHS, or the heterogeneous computing platform, wherein the EC is structured and programmed to verify, before an IHS boot, the device firmware instructions of at least one device of the plurality of devices.
An embedded controller (EC) integrated into a heterogeneous computing platform of an Information Handling System (IHS), wherein the platform comprises a host processor and a plurality of devices coupled thereto via an interconnect fabric, wherein each device of the plurality of devices is structured with at least one microcontroller programmed by device firmware instructions configured to execute in a respective device memory space distinct from any IHS host processor memory space, and wherein the EC comprises a memory having instructions stored thereon that, upon execution by a core of the EC, causes the EC to:
- boot before any of the plurality of devices;
- and
- verify, before an IHS boot, the integrity or authenticity of the device firmware instructions executable by one or more of the plurality of devices.
A method, comprising:
- receiving embedded controller (EC) firmware instructions at an EC at least partially integrated into a heterogeneous computing platform of an Information Handling System (IHS), wherein the IHS comprises a Reduced Instruction Set Computer (RISC) processor and a plurality of devices coupled thereto via an interconnect;
- verifying, by the EC based at least in part upon executing the EC firmware instructions using the EC, the integrity or authenticity of the EC firmware instructions;
- in response to verifying the EC firmware instructions, verifying device firmware instructions configured to execute in a device memory space corresponding to at least one device of the plurality of devices using at least the EC, wherein each device memory space is distinct from any IHS host processor memory space;
- and
- in response to verifying the device firmware instructions, booting the IHS, using at least the EC.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.