Adaptec, Inc.

Kin C Doe

Francis L Nguyen

Leigh Perona

Peter K Cheung

James R Lindeman

Anton B Rang

Tonghan Tee

Daniel Olin Skeen

Gordon A Minami

An apparatus to enable operation of a computer by authorized users when in a secure mode of operation is provided. One exemplary apparatus includes a hub configured to be in communication with the computer. The hub includes a card reader, a card microprocessor and an encryption engine. The apparatus also includes a card configured for insertion into the card reader. The card includes a card microprocessor. In addition, the apparatus includes a user authentication device configured to validate the user as an authorized user of the card. If the user is validated as the authorized user, then the card microprocessor passes a key to the hub microprocessor in response to the validation of the user as the authorized user of the card. The encryption engine of the hub is then activated to operate in a secure mode of operation.

Method and apparatus for a secure computing environment

A method for activating an encryption control device that is in communication with a computer for providing a secure computing environment for a user is provided. The method initiates with providing a card for insertion into a card reader of the encryption control device. The card is configured to receive and pass data. Next, a biometric identifier is received from the user. The biometric identifier enables validation of the user as the authorized owner of the card. Then, a challenge/response protocol between the encryption control and the inserted card is run. The challenge/response protocol establishes that the card and the encryption control device are compatible. Next, an encryption engine of the encryption control device is activated to create a secure computing environment if the user is validated as the authorized owner of the card and the challenge/response protocol is successfully executed.

Method and apparatus for operating a computer in a secure mode

A PCI to SCSI host adapter circuit is provided for use with different types of host platforms. The host adapter includes logic and controller circuits, and a memory having multiple drivers and a bank switching instruction set stored therein. During initialization, the first driver is loaded into the host's memory if the host's processor is of a compatible type. Otherwise, the bank switching instruction set is loaded into the host's memory and interpreted by the host's processor. During interpretation, the bank switching instruction set causes the host's processor to signal the logic circuit to request that the controller circuit re-map another driver to the location of the first driver in the memory. After this bank switching has occurred, the selected driver is loaded into the host's memory, provided of course that the host's processor is of a compatible type. This process may be repeated until the appropriate code type is found or the host processor is not supported.

Methods and apparatuses for automatic bank switching in a host adapter

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Union City, CA, United States of America

Kin C Doe