Patent ID: 7673345
Filing Date: 2010-03-02
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A processor comprising: a first memory of a memory pipeline of the processor to store copies of protection vectors stored in a first portion of a second memory, wherein each of the protection vectors includes a plurality of bits, each of which is to identify a protection status of an addressable element of a second portion of the second memory, wherein the first portion of the second memory is inaccessible to a first software and the second portion of the second memory is accessible to the first software; and a first buffer of the memory pipeline coupled to the first memory, the first buffer to store translations between a virtual address and a corresponding physical address, the first buffer to generate a hit signal and a miss signal and to provide the hit signal and an address to the first memory to cause the first memory to search for an entry corresponding to the address, wherein the first memory is to perform a logic operation on the protection vector of the entry to determine whether an operation on an addressable element of the second portion of the second memory is permitted, the first memory and the first buffer separate from a page translation mechanism of the processor.