Abstract: An in-band error correcting code (ECC) module intercepts input/output (I/O) operations directed to a memory. The in-band ECC module determines whether the I/O is directed to data that needs to be protected against error. In response to determining that the I/O is directed to data that needs to be protected against error, the in-band ECC module directs a memory controller to store or access ECC data corresponding to the data in a first preassigned area of the memory, and to store or access the data in a second preassigned area of the memory.

Abstract: A method is described. The method includes periodically maintaining memory devices with circuitry of a memory controller. The circuitry is to act in response to signals from timer and scheduling circuitry that determine when memory maintenance is to occur to which of the memory devices. The periodically maintaining is performed while the memory controller is able to perform read/write operations from/to the memory devices. The method also includes placing the memory controller into a sleep mode in which the memory controller is not able to read/write from/to the memory devices, where, the periodically maintaining continues to be performed while the memory controller is within the sleep mode.