4 ms·
I am not familiar with DRAM spec sheets, but are manufacturers specifying that there will be zero errors? Without a specification that says so, I don't think i
by gugagore 5y ago
I am not familiar with DRAM spec sheets, but are manufacturers specifying that there will be zero errors?
Without a specification that says so, I don't think it's necessarily the fault of the manufacturer if they cannot build perfect RAM!
Suppose someone builds a car with one these computers in a safety-critical role, and then someone gets injured because of an error that "originated" with the RAM.
- rini17 5y agoThey specify timing and when it is followed, RAM should work without fault. But if there are corner cases like this, they should be added to specs. Most likely it would require memory controller to remember last addresses and insert delays if rowhammer attempt is detected. And/or make CPU microoperation scheduler avoid it. No idea how expensive would that be, surely nontrivial.
- kevingadd 5y agoThere are already measures like that where the memory controller attempts to identify "victim rows" and refresh them, but attacks can fool the victim row detection and succeed anyway.
- rocqua 5y agoIf my car's spec doesn't say "the wheels stay on" and then the wheels fall off, the car is still defective.
- userbinator 5y agoThe true safety-critical stuff is far from ordinary and would never use commodity DRAM.