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US 7,073,071 B1Granted
Platform and method for generating and utilizing a protected audit log
AssigneeIntel Corporation
InventorsCarl M. Ellison, Roger A. Golliver, Howard C. Herbert, Derrick C. Lin, Francis X. McKeen, Gilbert Neiger, Ken Reneris, James A. Sutton, Shreekant S. Thakkar, Millind Mittal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
Briefly, one embodiment of a platform for generating and utilizing a protected audit log is described. The platform comprises a system memory and a memory to contain an audit log. The audit log includes a plurality of single-write, multiple read entries. At least one of the entries of the audit log includes stored data integrity information loaded into the system memory during its power cycle.
Claims25
A platform comprising:
- a processor capable of operating in an isolated execution mode within a ring O operating mode, wherein the processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a non-isolated execution mode within at least the ring O operating mode;
- a system memory responsive to the processor, the system memory to include an isolated memory area and a non-isolated memory area, wherein the platform only allows access to data in the isolated memory area when the processor is operating in the isolated execution mode;
- and
- system logic to generate a log entry for an audit log in response to a segment of information being loaded into the isolated memory area, the log entry to represent the segment of information.
1 more element
A method comprising:
- storing a segment of information in an isolated memory area within a platform;
- wherein the platform comprises a processor capable of operating in an isolated execution mode within a ring O operating mode;
- wherein the processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a non-isolated execution mode within at least the ring O operating mode;
- and wherein the platform only allows access to information in the isolated memory area when the processor is operating in the isolated execution mode;
- and
- generating a log entry for an audit log for the platform, the log entry comprising data representing at least the segment of information stored in the isolated memory area.
3 more elements
An article, comprising:
- a machine-accessible medium;
- and
- instructions in the machine-accessible medium, wherein the instructions, when executed by a processing system, cause the processing system to perform operations comprising:
- storing a segment of information in an isolated memory area within the processing system;
- wherein the processing system comprises a processor capable of operating in an isolated execution mode within a ring O operating mode;
- wherein the processor also supports one or more higher ring operating modes, as well as a non-isolated execution mode within at least the ring O operating mode;
- and wherein the processing system only allows access to information in the isolated memory area when the processor is operating in the isolated execution mode;
- and
- generating a log entry for an audit log, the log entry comprising data to represent at least the segment of information stored in the isolated memory area.
6 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.