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DateThu, 16 Oct 2003 12:20:16 +0200
FromEli Billauer <>
SubjectRe: [RFC] frandom - fast random generator module
>
>
>> 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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