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 The IBM PCI-X Cryptographic Coprocessor provides a high-security, high-throughput cryptographic subsystem. The tamper-responding hardware is validated at the highest level under the stringent FIPS PUB (Federal Information Processing Standards Publication) 140-2 standard. Specialized hardware performs AES, DES, TDES, RSA, and SHA-1 cryptographic processes, relieving the main processor from these tasks. The coprocessor design protects your cryptographic keys and sensitive custom applications. The software running in the coprocessor can be customized to meet special requirements.
The IBM PCI-X Cryptographic Coprocessor has a PCI-X 1.0 and PCI 2.2 local-bus-compatible interface. The coprocessor holds a secured subsystem module, batteries for backup power, and serial interface and 10/100 Ethernet connectors. The securely encapsulated subsystem contains a 32-bit IBM PowerPC 405GPr RISC processor, RAM, flash memory, and battery-powered memory, cryptographic-quality random number generator, AES, DES, TDES, SHA-1 and modular-exponentiation (for example, RSA, DSA) hardware, and full-duplex DMA communications. A secure code-loading arrangement enables control program and application program loading and refreshes after coprocessor installation in your server. IBM offers a Linux-based subsystem control program and a cryptographic application programming interface (API) which implements the IBM Common Cryptographic Architecture (CCA).
The IBM PCI-X Cryptographic Coprocessor is supported in the following IBM server families:
- IBM System z™ mainframes, where the coprocessor is available as an older PCIXCC feature or a newer Crypto Express2 (CEX2) feature.
- The coprocessor is supported under IBM z/OS® or IBM OS/390® with the Integrated Cryptographic Support Facility (ICSF) and the IBM Resource Access Control Facility (RACF®) to provide cryptographic services using the CCA cryptographic API.
- The coprocessor is supported under Linux on System z to provide cryptographic services using the CCA cryptographic API.
- IBM System i™ servers, where the coprocessor is available as a feature. The CCA Support Program is available to provide cryptographic services to applicatoin programs running under the IBM i5/OS® operating system. The CCA cryptographic API is available to provide cryptographic services to application programs.
- IBM System p™ servers, where the coprocessor is available as a feature. The CCA cryptographic API and the PKCS #11 cryptographic API are available to provide cryptographic services to application programs running under the IBM AIX® operating system.
- IBM System x™ servers, running either 32-bit Novell® SUSE® Linux Enterprise Server 9 (SLES 9) or 10 (SLES 10), or 32-bit Microsoft® Windows® Server 2003, Standard Edition. Supported System x servers are listed on the IBM ServerProven™ Web site.
Further details on specific supported environments are provided elsewhere on this Web site or on the Web sites for the individual IBM server families.
Note that system software on some IBM servers provides higher-level interfaces to the cryptographic functions in the IBM PCI-X Cryptographic Coprocessor. For example, some systems may offer Java interfaces which make use of the coprocessor.
The IBM Common Cryptographic Architecture implementation provides a base on which custom processing and cryptographic functions, called User Defined Extensions (UDX), can be added. Development of a UDX to a customer specification requires a contract between IBM and the customer.
To investigate a UDX for an IBM PCI-X Cryptographic Coprocessor, see 'Custom Programming'.
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