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    Subject[PATCH] CPU Jitter RNG: inclusion into kernel crypto API and /dev/random
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    Hi,

    the CPU Jitter RNG [1] is a true random number generator that is
    intended to work in user and kernel space equally well on a large number
    of different CPUs. The heart of the RNG is about 30 lines of code. The
    current implementation allows seamless hooking into the kernel crypto
    API as well as the Linux /dev/random driver. With its inherent non-
    blocking behavior, it could solve the problem of a blocking /dev/random.

    Over the last months, new tests were executed. The list of tests now
    cover all major operating systems and CPU types as well as microkernels
    of NOVA, Fiasco.OC and Pistacio. More than 200 different systems are
    tested. And for those, the tests show that the Jitter RNG produces high-
    quality output. See [2] appendix F for details.

    When talking with developers from different chip manufactures, I was
    told that even they see the execution timing jitter in their tests and
    cannot eliminate the timing jitter. Nor are they able to explain to 100%
    certainty the root cause of the jitter. Therefore, the noise source
    looks appropriate for general use.

    I am asking whether this RNG would good as an inclusion into the Linux
    kernel for:

    - kernel crypto API to provide a true random number generator as part of
    this API (see [2] appendix B for a description)

    - inclusion into /dev/random as an entropy provider of last resort when
    the entropy estimator falls low.

    Patches for both are provided in the source code tarball at [1].

    A full description of the RNG together with all testing is provided at
    [2] or [3].

    I will present the RNG at the Linux Symposium in Ottawa this year. There
    I can give a detailed description of the design and testing.

    [1] http://www.chronox.de

    [2] http://www.chronox.de/jent/doc/CPU-Jitter-NPTRNG.html

    [3] http://www.chronox.de/jent/doc/CPU-Jitter-NPTRNG.pdf

    Ciao
    Stephan


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