RE: PIII kernel support- hardware randomizer

nathan.zook@amd.com
Thu, 14 Oct 1999 14:51:14 -0500

Quick news story check reveals:
1) It is a chipset "feature".
2) The numbers are not random in the usual sense at all. An array of 2^16
numbers (of unspecified size) is stored in the chipset & read out on demand.
The press release makes a great deal of the fact that these numbers
themselves are somehow "truly random".

Nathan

-----Original Message-----
From: Brian Hall [mailto:brianw.hall@compaq.com]
Sent: Thursday, October 14, 1999 11:30 AM
To: Linux Kernel
Subject: PIII kernel support- hardware randomizer

I am currently using an overclocked Celeron 300 (now 450). The only real
interest I have in the PIII and above is the hardware random number
generator (using thermal noise). I have seen discussion of PIII kernel
patches, but not about the random number generator. Does support for
this exist or is it planned, and is there a repository for PIII patches?

IMHO, the hardware random generator might improve cryptography somewhat,
and is the only feature desirable to me that the Althon lacks (AFAIK,
anyway).

--
Brian Hall
Linux Consultant


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