Re: [RFC] frandom - fast random generator module
From: Eli Billauer
Date: Thu Oct 16 2003 - 05:21:30 EST
Frandom is the faster version of the well-known /dev/urandom random
number generator. Not instead of, but rather as a supplement, when
pseudorandom data is needed at high rate. Few tests so far show that
frandom is 10-50 times faster than urandom.
Without looking at the code, why should this be done in the kernel?
I suppose you're asking why having a /dev/frandom device at all. Why not
let everyone write their own little random generator (based upon
well-known C functions) whenever random data is needed.
There are plenty of handy things in the kernel, that could be done in
userspace. /dev/zero is my favourite example, but I'm sure there are
other cases where things were put in the kernel simply because people
found them handy. Which is a good reason, if you ask me.
Besides, it's quite easy to do something wrong with random numbers. By
having a good source of random data, I suppose we can spare a lot of
people the headache of getting their own user-space application right
for the one-off thing they want to do.
But it's really a matter of taste. That's why I bring up the subject here.
Eli
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