Why it matters

AES is workhorse symmetric cipher. Understanding shapes crypto.

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The architecture

SubBytes + ShiftRows + MixColumns + AddRoundKey per round.

10/12/14 rounds for 128/192/256.

AES round structureSubBytes + ShiftRowsconfusion + diffusionMixColumnsdiffusionAddRoundKeykey mixAES-NI accelerates on modern CPUs; GCM mode standard for AEAD
AES.
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How it works end to end

Rijndael 1998 winner.

Modes: CBC, CTR, GCM.

AES-NI hardware acceleration.

AEAD via GCM standard.