The present invention provides an apparatus and method for performing cryptographic operations on a plurality of input data blocks within a processor. In one embodiment, an apparatus for performing cryptographic operations is provided. The apparatus includes a cryptographic instruction and execution logic. The cryptographic instruction is received by logic within a processor, wherein said cryptographic instruction prescribes one of the cryptographic operations. The execution logic is coupled to said logic. The execution logic performs the one of the cryptographic operations.
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