[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 06:39 PM, Jim Kinney wrote:
> 
> Yes. This is hardware-based encryption. You can still run LUKS in
> it as well but other than a general mistrust of closed-source
> encryption, why?
> 
> On Mon, Jun 25, 2012 at 6:28 PM, Scott Castaline
> <skotchman at gmail.com <mailto:skotchman at gmail.com>> wrote:
> 
Okay, just got a reply to this on the OCZ forum. He claims that the
256 bit complaint encryption is strictly for their secure erase
utility and that if I want to encrypt the drive I do need 3rd party
software. I kind of got that feeling on exploring their site and
poking around the howtos for their utilities. But I don't understand
what you need that level of encryption just for erasing?

Also I'm still looking for any recommendations on any particular
brand/model of SSD. I was thinking somewhere in the 128G - 256G range
SATA III. Any tips would be appreciated.

> 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>
> <mailto: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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> 
> 
> 
> -- -- 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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