SQL Server - hardware offload mode

In SQL Server 2022 and later versions, the "hardware offload mode" configuration refers to utilizing hardware acceleration capabilities provided by Intel QuickAssist Technology (QAT) for specific operations within SQL Server. There are two modes available for hardware offloading using Intel QAT: QAT Software Mode and QAT Hardware Mode. These modes allow SQL Server to leverage Intel QAT for accelerated processing tasks, such as encryption, compression, or query processing. 

Explanation

  • QAT Software Mode: This mode utilizes the Intel QAT Driver for software-based acceleration. It does not require any specialized hardware beyond the Intel QAT Driver. QAT Software Mode is supported in SQL Server 2022 Standard Edition and Enterprise Edition. With this mode, SQL Server can leverage the software implementation of Intel QAT for offloading specific tasks without the need for dedicated hardware acceleration devices. 
  • QAT Hardware Mode: This mode also requires the Intel QAT Driver but additionally necessitates an Intel QAT capable hardware device. QAT Hardware Mode is available in SQL Server 2022 Enterprise Edition. By enabling QAT Hardware Mode, SQL Server can leverage the hardware acceleration capabilities of Intel QAT devices for enhanced performance in specific operations, such as encryption or compression.

Security Risks

While hardware offloading using Intel QAT can provide performance benefits, there are security risks that organizations should consider: 

  1. Data Exposure: Offloading sensitive operations like encryption to hardware components may expose data if the hardware is compromised. 
  2. Vulnerability Exploitation: Insecure configurations or outdated drivers/firmware on Intel QAT devices could be exploited by attackers to gain unauthorized access or compromise data. 
  3. Data Integrity: Improperly configured hardware offload settings or hardware failures during processing tasks could lead to data integrity issues. 
  4. Privacy Concerns: Data processed using hardware acceleration may raise privacy concerns if not adequately protected during processing.

Recommendations

To mitigate security risks when using hardware offload modes with Intel QAT in SQL Server: 

  • Ensure that Intel QAT drivers and hardware components are configured securely with proper access controls and encryption mechanisms. 
  • Keep Intel QAT drivers and hardware firmware up-to-date to address known vulnerabilities and security issues. 
  • Implement monitoring to track hardware offload operations and log activities for detecting anomalies or security incidents.

By following these best practices and addressing security considerations, organizations can optimize performance while maintaining data security when utilizing hardware offload modes with Intel QAT in SQL Server 2022 and later versions.