About self-encrypting drives, Data encryption

Models: ST9146803SS ST9300603SS ST9300503SS ST9146603SS ST9146703SS ST9300403SS

9.0About self-encrypting drives

Self-encrypting drives (SEDs) offer encryption and security services for the protection of stored data, com- monly known as “protection of data at rest.” These drives are compliant with the Trusted Computing Group (TCG) Enterprise Storage Specifications as detailed in Section 3.2.

The Trusted Computing Group (TCG) is an organization sponsored and operated by companies in the com- puter, storage and digital communications industry. Seagate’s SED models comply with the standards pub- lished by the TCG.

To use the security features in the drive, the host must be capable of constructing and issuing the following two SCSI commands:

•Security Protocol Out

•Security Protocol In

These commands are used to convey the TCG protocol to and from the drive in their command payloads.

9.1Data encryption

Encrypting drives use one inline encryption engine for each port, employing AES-128 data encryption in Cipher Block Chaining (CBC) mode to encrypt all data prior to being written on the media and to decrypt all data as it is read from the media. The encryption engines are always in operation, cannot be disabled, and do not detract in any way from the performance of the drive.

The 32-byte Data Encryption Key (DEK) is a random number which is generated by the drive, never leaves the drive, and is inaccessible to the host system. The DEK is itself encrypted when it is stored on the media and when it is in volatile temporary storage (DRAM) external to the encryption engine. A unique data encryption key is used for each of the drive's possible16 data bands (see Section 9.5).

9.2Controlled access

The drive has two security partitions (SPs) called the "Admin SP" and the "Locking SP." These act as gate- keepers to the drive security services. Security-related commands will not be accepted unless they also supply the correct credentials to prove the requester is authorized to perform the command.

9.2.1Admin SP

The Admin SP allows the drive's owner to enable or disable firmware download operations (see Section 9.4). Access to the Admin SP is available using the SID (Secure ID) password or the MSID (Makers Secure ID) password.

Savvio 10K.3 SAS Product Manual, Rev. G

ST9146803SS, ST9300603SS, ST9300503SS, ST9146603SS, ST9146703SS specifications

Seagate has long been a key player in the storage technology industry, and its enterprise-class hard drives such as the ST9300503SS, ST9300403SS, ST9146603SS, ST9146803SS, and ST9146703SS stand out for their performance, reliability, and innovative features. Designed primarily for use in data centers and server environments, these drives offer a range of specifications suited for high-demand applications.

The Seagate ST9300503SS is a 300GB 2.5-inch SAS (Serial Attached SCSI) hard drive that operates at 10,000 RPM, which is essential for ensuring rapid data access. It provides a data transfer rate of 6 Gb/s and features Seagate's AgileArray technology, which enhances RAID performance and reliability by improving data integrity and optimizing power consumption. The drive is also designed to withstand the rigors of enterprise use, boasting a mean time between failures (MTBF) rating of 1.6 million hours.

In contrast, the ST9300403SS offers a similar 300GB capacity and speed, but with slight variations in features that make it better suited for specific applications. This drive also supports SAS 2.0 and includes features that enhance error recovery and data protection.

The ST9146603SS is another powerhouse, providing 146GB of storage. Operating at the same high spindle speed of 10,000 RPM, it is optimized for low-latency performance. This makes it highly suitable for transactional applications and environments where quick access to data is crucial. Like its counterparts, this drive is built with robust technologies that ensure reliable operation and enhanced data security.

The ST9146803SS bumps up the storage capacity to 300GB while maintaining the same impressive speed and performance features. Its incorporation of Seagate’s SeaTach technology allows for advanced communication protocols, which facilitate faster data transfers and lower latency.

Finally, the ST9146703SS also offers 146GB of storage and is known for its energy efficiency features that reduce operational costs in large-scale deployments. All these drives support a wide range of operating systems, making them versatile picks for businesses looking to upgrade their storage solutions.

Overall, the Seagate ST9300503SS, ST9300403SS, ST9146603SS, ST9146803SS, and ST9146703SS are essential components in any enterprise environment, delivering high performance, reliability, and advanced technology features that meet the critical demands of modern data storage.