Re: [PATCH] API for true Random Number Generators to add entropy (2.6.11)

Jeff Garzik
2005-03-24T20:37:34Z

Andi Kleen wrote:
> Andrew Morton <akpm@osdl.org> writes:
>
>
>>David McCullough <davidm@snapgear.com> wrote:
>>
>>>Here is a small patch for 2.6.11 that adds a routine:
>>>
>>> add_true_randomness(__u32 *buf, int nwords);
>>
>>It neither applies correctly nor compiles in current kernels. 2.6.11 is
>>very old in kernel time.
>>
>>Are we likely to see any in-kernel users of this?
>
>
> I added similar support to the pre hw_random AMD8111 driver
> a long time ago. Basically a timer that regularly read some
> dat from the hw random generator and feed it into the random
> code.
>
> I think it is a good idea, because it doesnt make much sense
> imho to run a daemon for something that can be done in 20 lines
> of code in the kernel.

Check your kernel history.

We -used- to need data from RNG directly into the kernel randomness
pool. The consensus was that the FIPS testing should be moved to userspace.

Jeff