Intel 540s secure erase query

[CHarr8]

Hello,

I've been researching the security features of different SSDs and understand that the 540s has 256 bit encryption. I have a couple of questions regarding this SSD

1) How is the SSD 'reset' to factory state by releasing all the electrons in the blocks simultaneously using the Intel toolbox? I understand that there is secure erase, enhanced secure erase commands. There seems to be some ambiguity about this method depending on the SSD.

2) How long can the ATA password be?

3) How can you set the user and master passwords?

4) How can the erase be verified?

5) How long do the secure erase and enhanced secure erase take on a 1 TB 540s SSD?

6) There was an issue with earlier Intel SSDs being mislabeled as 256 bit encrypted when in fact they were 128 bit encrypted. Is this SSD 256 bit encrypted.

7) How is the ATA password stored on the SSD?

Thanks.

[idata · Accepted solution]

chrisharris,

Here are the answers for your questions:

1) How is the SSD 'reset' to factory state by releasing all the electrons in the blocks simultaneously using the Intel toolbox? I understand that there is secure erase, enhanced secure erase commands. There seems to be some ambiguity about this method depending on the SSD.

-Can you elaborate a bit more on what you need to know?-Intel Toolbox allows you to perform secure erase, which at the same time it will reset the drive back to factory state.-The secure erase command can also be triggered by Intel Data Center Tool, which is intended mainly for Data Center drives. This will also set the drive to the factory settings.-Some motherboard manufacturers have implemented the Secure Erase function within their BIOS as well. 2) How long can the ATA password be? -It is 32 bytes long = 32 characters. Also please know our drives are self-encrypted drives, even when no ATA password is set. 3) How can you set the user and master passwords? -You can setup both passwords in the BIOS. For details on the User and Master passwords within the boards BIOS, you may also contact the board manufacturer. 4) How can the erase be verified? -By checking the drive and make sure there are no partitions nor data, it will ask you to initialize it. 5) How long do the secure erase and enhanced secure erase take on a 1 TB 540s SSD? -It depends on system workload and configuration, no specific time assigned, but it shouldn't take too long. 6) There was an issue with earlier Intel SSDs being mislabeled as 256 bit encrypted when in fact they were 128 bit encrypted. Is this SSD 256 bit encrypted.

-The drive comes with 256 Bit encryption as stated in the http://www.intel.com/content/www/us/en/solid-state-drives/ssd-540s-series-spec.html product brief

-http://ark.intel.com/products/94204/Intel-SSD-540s-Series-1_0TB-2_5in-SATA-6Gbs-16nm-TLC Here is more information about the SSD

7) How is the ATA password stored on the SSD?

- ATA Password is stored in media as a non-reversible hashed valueHope this helps, please let us know if more information is needed.

NC

[CHarr8]

In regards to me clarifying the secure erase.

Some SSDs "reset" by releasing all electrons in each cell at the same time which takes milliseconds. Others write zeros to each cell which can take hours. Is there a way to do the erase on the that takes milliseconds on the Intel 540s?

Can you also elaborate on the data center tool and how it works. Will this software work on the 540s?

[idata]

chrisharris,

Thanks for replying back.First of all, thanks for clarifying the question for us, our secure erase performed using Intel® Solid State Drive Toolbox will indeed write zeros to each cell and it may take a few minutes.With the Intel® SSD Data Center Tool you can also perform secure erase but only for compatible drives (Only the Data Center versions), using a command line in a terminal.NC

[idata]

chrisharris,

We are following up this thread and we would like to know if you require any further assistance?We will be waiting for your response.NC