Abstract:
A method and apparatus for software to access a microprocessor serial number. Provision of the serial number allows the manufacturer better control over its product and also permits software vendors to register their products. The serial number is encrypted using a pair of encryption keys to prevent unauthorized changes. At least one of the encryption keys is itself encoded to prevent unauthorized access, while permitting software to access the serial number.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for encrypting and decrypting a microprocessor serial number. First and second encryption keys and a serial number are provided in microprocessor machine specific registers. The serial number is encrypted using the first key. The encrypted serial number is encrypted using the second key. The first encryption key may be encrypted along with the serial number using the second key. The double-encrypted serial number is then stored in memory provided for that purpose.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing a microprocessor serial number. A small, nonvolatile random access memory is packaged with the CPU die to provide a storage space for a CPU serial number which can be programmed before leaving the factory. Both the CPU die and the nonvolatile RAM die reside within the cavity of the package. Connection between the two dies is provided by conventional wire bonding.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing, maintaining and upgrading the software lock of a microprocessor. When a processor upgrade occurs, software that was serialized to the previously installed processor detects that it is running on an unauthorized processor. The software initiates a reauthorization process based on a reauthorization use profile. The temporary re-enabling of the software is allowed if the authorization service is not available.
Abstract:
A memory paging and compression system for a computer having a memory and an execution unit includes an address mapping hierarchy, a compressed page mapping hierarchy, a translation lookaside buffer, and a compression/decompression component. The address mapping hierarchy includes page tables having page table entries which map from a first portion of virtual addresses to respective pages in physical memory. The compressed page mapping hierarchy includes compressed page tables having compressed page table entries mapping from the first portion of virtual addresses to respective compressed pages in physical memory. The translation lookaside buffer caches recently used ones of the mappings from the first portion of virtual addresses to respective pages in physical memory. The compression/decompression component includes a compression/decompression engine coupled between a memory and an execution unit for alternately compressing and decompressing pages in memory in respective correspondence with spills from and loads to the translation lookaside buffer. The address mapping hierarchy and compressed page mapping hierarchy may be represented in memory and the compression/decompression component may further include a decompression fault handler and a compression fault handler, each executable on the execution unit.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for encrypting and decrypting a microprocessor serial number. First and second encryption keys and a serial number are provided in microprocessor machine specific registers. The serial number is encrypted using the first key. The encrypted serial number is encrypted using the second key. The first encryption key may be encrypted along with the serial number using the second key. The double-encrypted serial number is then stored in memory provided for that purpose.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for providing, maintaining and upgrading the software lock of a microprocessor. When a processor upgrade occurs, software that was serialized to the previously installed processor detects that it is running on an unauthorized processor. The software initiates a reauthorization process based on a reauthorization use profile. The temporary re-enabling of the software is allowed if the authorization service is not available.
Abstract:
A memory paging and compression system for a computer having a memory and an execution unit includes an address mapping hierarchy, a compressed page mapping hierarchy, a translation lookaside buffer, and a compression/decompression component. The address mapping hierarchy includes page tables having page table entries which map from a first portion of virtual addresses to respective pages in physical memory. The compressed page mapping hierarchy includes compressed page tables having compressed page table entries mapping from the first portion of virtual addresses to respective compressed pages in physical memory. The translation lookaside buffer caches recently used ones of the mappings from the first portion of virtual addresses to respective pages in physical memory. The compression/decompression component includes a compression/decompression engine coupled between a memory and an execution unit for alternately compressing and decompressing pages in memory in respective correspondence with spills from and loads to the translation lookaside buffer. The address mapping hierarchy and compressed page mapping hierarchy may be represented in memory and the compression/decompression component may further include a decompression fault handler and a compression fault handler, each executable on the execution unit.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for encrypting and decrypting a microprocessor serial number. First and second encryption keys and a serial number are provided in microprocessor machine specific registers. The serial number is encrypted using the first key. The encrypted serial number is encrypted using the second key. The first encryption key may be encrypted along with the serial number using the second key. The double-encrypted serial number is then stored in memory provided for that purpose.
Abstract:
A method and apparatus for software to access a microprocessor serial number. Provision of the serial number allows the manufacturer better control over its product and also permits software vendors to register their products. The serial number is encrypted using a pair of encryption keys to prevent unauthorized changes. At least one of the encryption keys is itself encoded to prevent unauthorized access, while permitting software to access the serial number.