Abstract: An error protection key generation method and system are provided, the method being used to generate a key for use in computing an error protection code for an input data value according to a chosen error protection scheme. The method comprises inputting a plurality of desired data value sizes, and then applying a key generation algorithm to generate a key for use in computing the error protection code for a maximum data value size amongst the plurality of data value sizes. The key generation algorithm is arranged so that it generates the key so as to comprise a plurality of sub-keys, where each sub-key is associated with one of the input data value sizes, and where each sub-key conforms to a key requirement of the error protection scheme. As a result, a generic key is produced containing a plurality of sub-keys, where each sub-key is associated with a particular desired data value size, and can be extracted and used independently given that each sub-key conforms to the error protection scheme requirements.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus and method of storing data in a data storage apparatus are provided, where the data storage apparatus comprises multiple banks for storing data. The multiple banks form multiple bank groups, wherein each bank group comprising more than one bank. A first data item of a received data block is stored at a selected storage location in a selected bank and a subsequent data item of the data block is stored to a further storage location in a different bank according to a sequence of banks. The sequence of banks firstly comprises the selected bank followed by all other banks in the bank group of the selected bank. Moreover the sequence of banks respects a hierarchical pattern, wherein a finer granularity of the hierarchical pattern comprises all banks in a given bank group, and a coarser granularity of the hierarchical pattern comprises the given bank group followed by a different bank group to the given bank group. Access to the data storage apparatus is thereby improved.

Abstract: An error protection key generation method and system are provided, the method being used to generate a key for use in computing an error protection code for an input data value according to a chosen error protection scheme. The method comprises inputting a plurality of desired data value sizes, and then applying a key generation algorithm to generate a key for use in computing the error protection code for a maximum data value size amongst the plurality of data value sizes. The key generation algorithm is arranged so that it generates the key so as to comprise a plurality of sub-keys, where each sub-key is associated with one of the input data value sizes, and where each sub-key conforms to a key requirement of the error protection scheme. As a result, a generic key is produced containing a plurality of sub-keys, where each sub-key is associated with a particular desired data value size, and can be extracted and used independently given that each sub-key conforms to the error protection scheme requirements.

Abstract: A data storage apparatus and method of storing data in a data storage apparatus are provided, where the data storage apparatus comprises multiple banks for storing data. The multiple banks form multiple bank groups, wherein each bank group comprising more than one bank. A first data item of a received data block is stored at a selected storage location in a selected bank and a subsequent data item of the data block is stored to a further storage location in a different bank according to a sequence of banks. The sequence of banks firstly comprises the selected bank followed by all other banks in the bank group of the selected bank. Moreover the sequence of banks respects a hierarchical pattern, wherein a finer granularity of the hierarchical pattern comprises all banks in a given bank group, and a coarser granularity of the hierarchical pattern comprises the given bank group followed by a different bank group to the given bank group. Access to the data storage apparatus is thereby improved.