RNGTEST(1) General Commands Manual RNGTEST(1)
NAME
rngtest - Check the randomness of data using FIPS 140-2 tests
SYNOPSIS
rngtest [-c n | --blockcount=n] [-b n | --blockstats=n] [-t n | --timed-
stats=n] [-p | --pipe] [-?] [--help] [-V] [--version]
DESCRIPTION
rngtest works on blocks of 20000 bits at a time, using the FIPS 140-2
(errata of 2001-10-10) tests to verify the randomness of the block of
data.
It takes input from stdin, and outputs statistics to stderr, optionally
echoing blocks that passed the FIPS tests to stdout (when operating in
pipe mode). Errors are sent to stderr.
At startup, rngtest will throw away the first 32 bits of data when oper-
ating in pipe mode. It will use the next 32 bits of data to bootstrap
the FIPS tests (even when not operating in pipe mode). These bits are
not tested for randomness.
Statistics are dumped to stderr when the program exits.
OPTIONS
-p, --pipe
Enable pipe mode. All data blocks that pass the FIPS tests are
echoed to stdout, and rngtest operates in silent mode.
-c n, --blockcount=n (default: 0)
Exit after processing n input blocks, if n is not zero.
-b n, --blockstats=n (default: 0)
Dump statistics every n blocks, if n is not zero.
-t n, --timedstats=n (default: 0)
Dump statistics every n secods, if n is not zero.
-?, --help
Give a short summary of all program options.
-V, --version
Print program version
STATISTICS
rngtest will dump statistics to stderr when it exits, and when told to
by blockstats or timedstats.
FIPS 140-2 successes and FIPS 140-2 failures counts the number of
20000-bit blocks either accepted or rejected by the FIPS 140-2 tests.
The other statistics show a breakdown of the FIPS 140-2 failures by FIPS
140-2 test. See the FIPS 140-2 document for more information (note that
these tests are defined on FIPS 140-1 and FIPS 140-2 errata of
2001-10-10. They were removed in FIPS 140-2 errata of 2002-12-03).
The speed statistics are taken for every 20000-bit block trasferred or
processed.
EXIT STATUS
0 if no errors happen, and no blocks fail the FIPS tests.
1 if no errors happen, but at least one block fails the FIPS tests.
10 if there are problems with the parameters.
11 if an input/output error happens.
12 if an operating system or resource starvation error happens.
SEE ALSO
random(4), rngd(8)
FIPS PUB 140-2 Security Requirements for Cryptographic Modules, NIST,
http://csrc.nist.gov/cryptval/140-2.htm
AUTHORS
Henrique de Moraes Holschuh <hmh@debian.org>
rng-tools 2.6 March 2004 RNGTEST(1)
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