topic Re: What is use of KRNG11i ? in Operating System - HP-UX

What is use of KRNG11i ?

Shivkumar — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:21:39 GMT

Dear Sirs,

Just wanted to know what is the use of KRNG11i software tool. I believe it is used for generating random number.

Can someone elaborate on this ?

Thanks,
Shiv

Re: What is use of KRNG11i ?

Jeff Schussele — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:36:01 GMT

Hi Shiv,

Yes that's exactly what it does.
Stands for
Kernel Random Number Generator & as also implied in the name runs on 11.11 and higher.
Cannot get a version for 11.0
It creates /dev/random & /dev/urandom

Rgds,
Jeff

Re: What is use of KRNG11i ?

James R. Ferguson — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:37:28 GMT

Hi Shiv:

Yes, KRNG is the "stong" randon number genereator:

http://h20293.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=KRNG11I

Regards!

...JRF...

Re: What is use of KRNG11i ?

A. Clay Stephenson — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:37:51 GMT

Yes. It generates strong random numbers. Although I hate it when other branches of science misuse definitions, the KRNG generates random number sequences with much greater "entropy". This really isn't entropy and entropy can't be defined in words very well and can only be defined/described mathematically in the context of thermodynamics. In the sense that very loosely entropy is related to disorder then the KRNG packages generates sequences of random numbers that are not merely dependent upon an initial seed value.

You will actually have device node, /dev/random and /dev/urandom that can be used as sources for random number streams. This package will also make some applications faster and more secure.

Re: What is use of KRNG11i ?

Scottt — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 12:52:38 GMT

Also this software helps in performance on ssh.

Re: What is use of KRNG11i ?

Raj D. — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 14:37:10 GMT

Hi Shiv,

KRNG11i

HP-UX Strong Random Number Generator provides a secure, non-reproducible source of true random numbers for applications with strong security requirements, such as for generating encryption keys. Generating encryption keys from a non-random source constitutes a security risk that you can remove using this product. The /dev/random and /dev/urandom special files are created during product installation. When configured to use these special files, applications such as SSH will have a more secure environment for performing cryptographic computations.

Note: HP-UX Strong Random Number Generator was formerly delivered as an optional core enhancement (KRNG 11I) for HP-UX 11i v1 on the Software Pack. Upon update to HP-UX 11i v2, the KRNG11I EP/NCF bundle will be removed.

check the link for details:

http://docs.hp.com/en/5990-8153/ch08s08.html
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Re: What is use of KRNG11i ?

Joseph Loo — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:02:46 GMT

hi shiv,

refer to this:

http://h20293.www2.hp.com/portal/swdepot/displayProductInfo.do?productNumber=KRNG11I

regards.

Re: What is use of KRNG11i ?

Steven E. Protter — Thu, 17 Nov 2005 20:36:20 GMT

It generates random numbers efficiently.

It seems to give a significant boost to any application that uses random numbers in generating encryption or authentication keys.

Speeds up ssh connect versus 11.00 which does not have this product available.

SEP