Low-cost pseudo-random nonce value generation system and method
View Patent ↗Briefly, a low-cost system and method for pseudo-random nonce value generation is disclosed.
1. A method comprising:
each time a processor-based system boots, generating a different and unique first nonce value by retrieving one of a plurality of pre-stored nonce values, each of which is different and unique, stored in a memory to provide an unique initial pseudo-random value; and
performing a hash function on the first nonce value and a cryptographic key to prevent unauthorized replay or reproduction of a communication.
2. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising generating a second nonce value by performing the hash function on the first nonce value and the cryptographic key.
3. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the memory contains a set of predetermined private values.
4. The method as recited in claim 3 , wherein the set of predetermined private values is sufficiently large to provide a unique value upon power-up reset to last a device's lifetime.
5. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the memory is a portion of a non-volatile memory array.
6. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first nonce value is a first generated nonce value after a power-on reset.
7. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein subsequent nonce values are generated by performing the hash function on a most recently generated nonce value and the cryptographic key.
8. The method as recited in claim 1 , further comprising resetting a journal modified bit upon system power up.
9. The method as recited in claim 8 , further comprising setting the journal modified bit after generating the first nonce value.
10. The method as recited in claim 1 , wherein the first nonce value is generated in response to a command request.
11. An apparatus comprising:
a flash array;
a controller integrated with the flash array, the controller, upon each power up, to generate a unique and different first nonce value by retrieving one of a plurality of unique and different pre-stored nonce values stored in a memory to provide an unique initial pseudo-random value; and
performing a hash function on the first nonce value and a cryptographic key to prevent unauthorized replay or reproduction of a communication.
12. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , the controller to further generate a second nonce value by performing the hash function on the first nonce value and the cryptographic key.
13. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the array contains a set of predetermined private values.
14. The apparatus as recited in claim 13 , wherein the set of predetermined private values is sufficiently large to provide a unique value upon power-up reset to last a device's lifetime.
15. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the array is a portion of the flash array.
16. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the first nonce value is a first generated nonce value after a power-on reset of the apparatus.
17. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , the controller further to generate subsequent nonce values by performing the hash function on a most recently generated nonce value and the cryptographic key.
18. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , the controller further to reset a journal modified bit upon system power up.
19. The apparatus as recited in claim 18 , the controller further to set the journal modified bit after generating the first nonce value.
20. The apparatus as recited in claim 11 , wherein the first nonce value is generated in response to a command request.