rngtest

SYNOPSIS
       rngtest  [-c  n  |  --blockcount=n]  [-b  n  |  --blockstats=n] [-t n |
       --timedstats=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
       operating  in pipe mode.  It will use the next 32 bits of data to boot-
       strap 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

       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-unofficial-mt.12      March 2004                        RNGTEST(1)