Cryptographic key setup in queued cryptographic systems

A method for performing cryptographic tasks, wherein the cryptographic tasks are maintained in a queue, and wherein the cryptographic tasks include key setup tasks and work data processing tasks, the method comprising:

• performing the key setup tasks in a first cryptographic engine, wherein each of the key setup tasks includes
• receiving key data,
• processing the key data,
• generating processed key data, and
• storing the processed key data;
• and
• processing the work data in a second cryptographic engine, wherein each of the work data processing tasks includes
• retrieving the processed key data,
• receiving work data,
• processing the work data, and
• outputting the processed work data,
• wherein the first cryptographic engine is pipelined with the second cryptographic engine.

A method for allocating cryptographic engines in a cryptographic system, comprising the steps of:

• monitoring a queue of cryptographic tasks to obtain queue information, wherein each of the cryptographic tasks includes a key setup task and a work data processing task;
• monitoring activity levels of a first allocation of a plurality of cryptographic engines in order to obtain cryptographic engine information, wherein a first set from among the plurality of cryptographic engines performs key setup tasks and a second set from among the plurality of cryptographic engines performs work data processing tasks;
• and
• dynamically adjusting the first allocation to create a modified first allocation of the plurality of cryptographic engines responsive to the queue of cryptographic tasks.

A computer readable medium embodying program code having instructions for causing a computer to perform cryptographic tasks, wherein the cryptographic tasks include key setup tasks and work data processing tasks, comprising:

• program code for causing the computer to perform the key setup tasks in a first cryptographic engine, wherein each of the key setup tasks includes
• receiving key data,
• processing the key data,
• generating processed key data, and
• storing the processed key data;
• and
• program code for causing the computer to process the work data in a second cryptographic engine, wherein each of the work data processing tasks includes
• retrieving the processed key data,
• receiving work data,
• processing the work data, and
• outputting the processed work data,
• wherein the first cryptographic engine is pipelined with the second cryptographic engine.

A computer readable medium embodying program code having instructions for causing a computer to implement allocation of cryptographic engines in a cryptographic system, comprising:

• program code for causing the computer to monitor a queue of cryptographic tasks to obtain queue information, wherein each of the cryptographic tasks includes a key setup task and a work data processing task;
• program code for causing the computer to monitor activity levels of a first allocation of a plurality of cryptographic engines, wherein a first set from among the plurality of cryptographic engines performs key setup tasks and a second set from among the plurality of cryptographic engines performs work data processing tasks;
• and
• program code for causing the computer to dynamically adjust the first allocation to create a modified first allocation of the plurality of cryptographic engines responsive to the queue of cryptographic tasks.

A computer system comprising:

• first and second cryptographic engines;
• a memory for storing thereon cryptographic tasks, wherein the cryptographic tasks include key setup tasks and work data processing tasks;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory and capable of operatively interacting with the first and second cryptographic engines to cause the first cryptographic engine to perform the key setup tasks wherein each of the key setup tasks includes
• receiving key data,
• processing the key data,
• generating processed key data, and
• storing the processed key data,
• and to cause the second cryptographic engine to process the work data, wherein each of the work data processing tasks includes
• retrieving the processed key data,
• receiving work data,
• processing the work data, and
• outputting the processed work data,
• wherein the first cryptographic engine is pipelined with the second cryptographic engine.

A computer system comprising:

• a plurality of cryptographic engines;
• a memory for storing thereon cryptographic tasks, wherein the cryptographic tasks include key setup tasks and work data processing tasks;
• and
• a processor coupled to the memory for allocating the plurality of cryptographic engines in a cryptographic system by
• monitoring a queue of cryptographic tasks to obtain queue information,
• monitoring activity levels of a first allocation of the plurality of cryptographic engines to obtain cryptographic engine information, wherein a first set from among the plurality of cryptographic engines performs the key setup tasks and a second set from among the plurality of cryptographic engines performs the work data processing tasks, and
• dynamically adjusting the first allocation to create a modified first allocation of the plurality of cryptographic engines responsive to the queue of cryptographic tasks.