---
name: "armv8crypto"
section: "4"
platform: "freebsd"
package: "base"
version: "16.0-CURRENT-20261027-61c70dc16a79"
release: "FreeBSD 16.0-CURRENT (2026-10-27)"
platforms: ["freebsd"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/armv8crypto"
---

# armv8crypto(4)

Armv8 Cryptographic Extension driver

Part of [armv8crypto(4)](/armv8crypto/4.md).

## NAME

**armv8crypto** – Armv8 Cryptographic Extension driver

## SYNOPSIS

To compile this driver into the kernel, place the following lines in your kernel configuration file:

**device crypto** **device armv8crypto**

Alternatively, to load the driver as a module at boot time, place the following line in [loader.conf(5)](/loader.conf/5.md):

```
armv8crypto_load="YES"
```

## DESCRIPTION

Starting with the ARMv8 architecture ARM Limited has added optional cryptography instructions to accelerate AES, SHA-1, SHA-2, and finite field arithmetic.

The processor capability is reported as AES in the Instruction Set Attributes 0 line at boot. The **armv8crypto** driver does not attach on systems that lack the required CPU capability.

The **armv8crypto** driver registers itself to accelerate AES operations for [crypto(4)](/crypto/4.md).

## SEE ALSO

[crypt(3)](/crypt/3.md), [crypto(4)](/crypto/4.md), [intro(4)](/intro/4.md), [ipsec(4)](/ipsec/4.md), [random(4)](/random/4.md), [crypto(7)](/crypto/7.md), [crypto(9)](/crypto/9.md)

## HISTORY

The **armv8crypto** driver first appeared in FreeBSD 11.0.

## AUTHORS

The **armv8crypto** driver was written by Andrew Turner ⟨*andrew@FreeBSD.org*⟩.