In this article, we will guide you through the process of setting up Opal 2.0 SSD encryption on Ubuntu 18.04.1. SSDs with Opal 2.0 support are always encrypted, but you need to set a password to protect the encryption key itself. This article will provide a step-by-step guide to doing just that.
Setting up Opal 2.0 SSD encryption on Ubuntu 18.04 involves installing the necessary tools, such as hdparm and sedutil, and then setting a password for the Opal 2.0 drive using either hdparm or sedutil commands. Once the password is set, the drive will be automatically encrypted and decrypted when the system is booted.
Prerequisites
Before we begin, ensure that your SSD supports Opal 2.0. Refer to your SSD’s documentation or the manufacturer’s website for this information.
Installing Necessary Tools
To set up the Opal 2.0 drive, you will need to install two main tools: hdparm and sedutil.
hdparm
hdparm is a command-line utility used to set and view hardware parameters of hard disk drives. You can install hdparm using the Ubuntu package manager with the following command:
sudo apt install hdparmsedutil
sedutil is a utility that provides a way to manage self-encrypting drives that conform to the TCG OPAL 2.00 standard. You can download sedutil from the GitHub repository.
Setting the Password for the Opal 2.0 Drive
Once you have installed the necessary tools, you can set the password for the Opal 2.0 drive.
Using hdparm
To set the password using hdparm, use the following command:
sudo hdparm --user-master u --security-set-pass password /dev/sdXIn this command, --user-master u specifies that the user password should be set, and --security-set-pass password sets the password to password. Replace /dev/sdX with the correct device identifier for your Opal 2.0 drive. You will be prompted to enter the password.
Using sedutil
To set the password using sedutil, use the following command:
sudo sedutil-cli --initialsetup /dev/sdXIn this command, --initialsetup is used to set the initial password for the drive. Replace /dev/sdX with the correct device identifier. Follow the prompts to set the password.
Conclusion
Once the password is set, you can use the drive as usual. The encryption will be automatically applied, and the drive will be decrypted when the system is booted.
Remember, it is important to be aware of potential vulnerabilities in Opal drives. While some vulnerabilities have been reported in the past, it is recommended to use reputable drives and keep them updated with the latest firmware to mitigate any potential risks.
Setting up Opal 2.0 SSD encryption on Ubuntu 18.04 is a straightforward process if you follow these steps. If you have any issues, refer to the documentation for hdparm and sedutil or seek help from the Ubuntu community.
Opal 2.0 SSD encryption is a feature that ensures that the data stored on the SSD is encrypted. It utilizes a hardware-based encryption system, where the encryption is performed by the SSD itself, rather than relying on software encryption.
To check if your SSD supports Opal 2.0, you can refer to the documentation provided by the SSD manufacturer or visit their website. They should provide information about the supported encryption standards for the specific SSD model.
Yes, you can set a different password for your Opal 2.0 drive. When using the hdparm command, simply replace password with your desired password. Similarly, when using the sedutil command, follow the prompts and enter your desired password when prompted.
Yes, you can change the password for your Opal 2.0 drive. To change the password using hdparm, use the following command: sudo hdparm --user-master u --security-set-pass new_password /dev/sdX. Replace new_password with your desired new password and /dev/sdX with the correct device identifier. For sedutil, use the command: sudo sedutil-cli --changessidpassword new_password /dev/sdX. Follow the prompts to set the new password.
If you forget the password for your Opal 2.0 drive, there is no way to recover the data on the drive. It is important to keep a secure record of your password to avoid data loss. Make sure to choose a password that is memorable to you but difficult for others to guess.
