18088909. SECURITY FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTITHREADING PROCESSORS simplified abstract (ADVANCED MICRO DEVICES, INC.)
Contents
- 1 SECURITY FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTITHREADING PROCESSORS
- 1.1 Organization Name
- 1.2 Inventor(s)
- 1.3 SECURITY FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTITHREADING PROCESSORS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
- 1.4 Simplified Explanation
- 1.5 Potential Applications
- 1.6 Problems Solved
- 1.7 Benefits
- 1.8 Potential Commercial Applications
- 1.9 Possible Prior Art
- 1.10 Original Abstract Submitted
SECURITY FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTITHREADING PROCESSORS
Organization Name
Inventor(s)
David Kaplan of Austin TX (US)
SECURITY FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTITHREADING PROCESSORS - A simplified explanation of the abstract
This abstract first appeared for US patent application 18088909 titled 'SECURITY FOR SIMULTANEOUS MULTITHREADING PROCESSORS
Simplified Explanation
The abstract describes a processor implementing a simultaneous multithreading (SMT) protection mode that prevents the execution of specific software at a processor core when another thread associated with different software is running. This protection mode aims to keep sensitive information secure from unauthorized access or detection.
- The SMT protection mode restricts the execution of particular software at a processor core when a thread associated with different software is currently running.
- The protection mode can be implemented on a per-software basis, allowing different software to choose whether to enable it.
- This innovation enhances security by preventing unauthorized access to data, software execution patterns, and other sensitive information.
Potential Applications
The technology can be applied in secure computing environments, virtualization platforms, cloud computing services, and data centers.
Problems Solved
1. Unauthorized access to sensitive information during simultaneous multithreading execution. 2. Protection of data and software execution patterns from potential security breaches.
Benefits
1. Enhanced security and privacy protection. 2. Flexibility for software to choose whether to implement the protection mode.
Potential Commercial Applications
Secure processors for enterprise computing, cloud service providers, and virtualization platforms.
Possible Prior Art
One potential prior art could be the use of hardware-based security features in processors to protect sensitive data during execution.
Unanswered Questions
How does the SMT protection mode impact overall processor performance?
The abstract does not provide information on the potential performance impact of enabling the SMT protection mode on the processor.
Are there any specific software compatibility issues when implementing the SMT protection mode?
The abstract does not address any potential compatibility challenges that may arise when different software choose to enable or disable the protection mode.
Original Abstract Submitted
A processor implements a simultaneous multithreading (SMT) protection mode that, when enabled, prevents execution of particular software (e.g., a virtual machine) at a processor core when a thread associated with different software (e.g., a different virtual machine or a hypervisor) is currently executing at the processor core. By preventing execution of the software, data, software execution patterns, and other potentially sensitive information is kept protected from unauthorized access or detection. Further, in at least some embodiments the SMT protection mode is implemented on a per-software basis, so that different software can choose whether to implement the protection mode, thereby allowing the processor to be employed in a wide variety of computing environments.
