Encrypted microcode update of an optical transceiver
AssigneeFinisar Corporation
InventorsLuke Ekkizogloy, Jayne Hahin, Gerald Dybsetter
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An optical transceiver (or optical transmitter or optical receiver) that has at least one processor and a memory. The optical transceiver receives encrypted microcode from a source. The optical transceiver may then decrypt the received microcode to create decrypted microcode. The decrypted microcode is then written to the memory, where it may be executed by the at least one processor. The microcode, when executed by the at least one processor, controls one or more functions of the optical transceiver.
Claims20
In an optical transceiver that includes a memory and at least one processor, a method for the optical transceiver to receive and decrypt encrypted microcode, the method comprising the following:
- an act of receiving encrypted microcode;
- an act of decrypting the received encrypted microcode to create decrypted microcode comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, control at least one function of the optical transceiver;
- an act of writing the decrypted microcode to the memory of the optical transceiver;
- and
- an act of the at least one processor executing the decrypted microcode written to the memory.
An optical transceiver, comprising:
- at least one processor;
- a persistent memory having thereon microcode comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, control at least one function of the optical transceiver, wherein the persistent memory is coupled to the at least one processor such that the processor may read and execute the microcode;
- and
- a microcode loader mechanism configured to perform the following:
- receive encrypted microcode;
- decrypt the received encrypted microcode to create decrypted microcode comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, control at least one function of the optical transceiver;
- write the decrypted microcode to the persistent memory of the optical transceiver;
- and
- execute the decrypted microcode written to the persistent memory.
An optical receiver, comprising:
- at least one processor;
- a persistent memory having thereon microcode comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, control at least one function of the optical receiver, wherein the persistent memory is coupled to the at least one processor such that the processor may read and execute the microcode;
- and
- a microcode loader mechanism configured to perform the following:
- receive encrypted microcode;
- decrypt the received encrypted microcode to create decrypted microcode comprising instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, control at least one function of the optical transmitter;
- write the decrypted microcode to the persistent memory of the optical receiver;
- and
- execute the decrypted microcode written to the persistent memory.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.