[ale] What does 256-bit AES-compliant, ATA Security Mode Features mean in the specs for a SSD?

[Scott Castaline]

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On 06/25/2012 05:34 PM, Jim Kinney wrote:
> Drive makers are incorporating encryption in their drives. The idea
> is that without the key, the contents are lost but the drive can be
> reused by making a new key. This is bios/UEFI level stuff. Once
> unlocked, the drive is unlocked until powered off.
> 
> That said, to re-access the drive after a suspend or hibernation
> will require a OS specific unlocking UI.
> 

So, this is in lieu of software like LUKS?
I assume then that access to it would be through the BIOS/UEFI?

> On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 5:00 PM, Scott Castaline
> <skotchman at gmail.com <mailto:skotchman at gmail.com>> wrote:
> 
> This may seem like a dumb question, but while looking over specs
> for various SSDs, I have come across a category of Data Encryption
> with 256-bit AES-compliant, ATA Security Mode Features or similar.
> What do they mean by this? Is this built in encrypting so one does
> not need to use software encryption like LUKS?
> 
> Also while I'm here, are there any compatibility issues in Linux
> that I need to be aware of in deciding which SSD I should get? Any 
> recommendations? I'm looking at the OCZ Vertex 2 SATA III 2.5" 
> http://www.ocztechnology.com/ocz-vertex-4-sata-iii-2-5-ssd.html#specifications.
>
> 
> 
> I'd be very appreciative of any feedback or guidance you guys give
> me.
> 
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> 
> -- -- James P. Kinney III //// ////Every time you stop a school,
> you will have to build a jail. What you gain at one end you lose at
> the other. It's like feeding a dog on his own tail. It won't fatten
> the dog. - Speech 11/23/1900 Mark Twain //// 
> http://electjimkinney.org http://heretothereideas.blogspot.com/ 
> ////
> 
> 
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