BSDCon 2002 Abstract
An implementation of the Yarrow PRNG for FreeBSD
Mark R. V. Murray, FreeBSD Services, Ltd
Abstract
Computers are by their definition predictable. The problem of obtaining
good-quality random numbers is well known.
There is a great need for entropy in the running kernel, as well as in
user-space. The kernel needs to randomise TCP sequences, seed keys for
IPSec, randomise PIDs, and so on. Starvation of these random numbers
is a critical problem. Users need random keys, random filenames,
nondeterministic games, random numbers for Monte-Carlo simulation and
so on.
Kelsey, Schneier and Ferguson proposed an improved algorithm for providing
statistically random numbers, at the same time cryptographically protecting
their sequence and state. This is the Yarrow algorithm.
This work presents an implementation of this algorithm as the entropy
device (/dev/random) in FreeBSD's kernel.
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