Hardline
Hardline is a series of Rainstorm Access Control (RAC) cryptoprocessors developed exclusively for Raven by Metatron, designed to protect high-classification information all the way up to Sigma. The product range contains models with support up to RAC-III, the highest tier of quantum encryption available. The modules are heavily hardened, and shielded against RF, magnetic fields, radiation, and seismic activity. An external control device, known as a Keying Directive Loader (KDL) is used for key management, along with Red Tokens (RTs).
Hardline modules are used in some of the most sensitive applications of quantum cryptography by humanity in the Calamity Multiverse, including in bridge laboratory targeting computers and PALIS links, as well as Raven COMSEC hardware and Raven reality critical key material storage.
Applications
Hardline modules can be used for a variety of different applications, including data encryption, decryption, signature generation and verification, key derivation, random number generation, key distribution, and more. Hardline modules come in two variants: HSM, which is designed to be attached to a high-side server to perform cryptographic operations; and Encryptor, which is designed to sit between high-side and low-side networks and transparently encrypt the connection. Both variants fully isolate the control plane from the data plane.
Design
Hardline modules are hermetically sealed rectangular boxes that come in different form factors. The form factor often determines the cryptographic capability and throughput. Form factors range from small modules designed to be integrated into other products to desktop "portable" modules and fully featured, powerful rackmount versions.
For rackmount versions, the front of the module, known as the Module Front Panel (MFP), contains a DTL-38999 port marked KDL (Keying Directive Loader) and a QL-11 optical/copper port marked KEY (Red Token). It also features a keypad, display, and several warning lights. The rear of the module features two redundant AC or DC inputs (depending) on the power supply option; a DTL-38999 data port; a serial terminal port; BNCs for external oscillator synchronisation; a diagnostic port; a 6-pin alarms header; and a high-side network connector, or isolated optical high-side and low-side network connectors, depending on the module variant.
Security
All Hardline modules integrate an explosive self destruct system linked to a perimeter tamper detection mesh, which is required for RAC-III certification. It is armed at the factory, and stays permanently armed through the unit’s operational lifetime, even during transport; retiring a unit requires controlled detonation. Depending on the threat profile, the explosive charges may either be conventional (i.e. C4), or antimatter. Some Hardline variants can even be augmented with an on-board forcefield system which acts as a barrier that prevents the enclosure from being penetrated.
Reliability
A key feature of Hardline modules are their "dual-bus" topology that offers two completely separate internal processing subsystems, each with their own M-of-N redundancy. This setup is versatile; the topology can be configured in three different ways; parallel mode offers double the throughput, series mode applies a second layer of encryption, and active-standby mode keeps the second subsystem available if the active system fails.
Models
The Hardline H-100 is the flagship Hardline model and is rackmount, being 4U tall and around 700mm deep. It offers the highest data throughput of any Hardline unit, with a maximum rate of 15Ebps in a fully optioned parallel configuration, allowing it to provide network encryption capabilities for an entire facility complex or for the real-time output of high sample rate sensor equipment.
Sketches
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