rngtest

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 |
       --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 trow 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 seconds, 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 transferred 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 5                       March 2004                        RNGTEST(1)