Quantum RNG (was: Use of TPM chip for RNG)

[Travis H.]

On 7/4/06, Taral <taralx at gmail.com> wrote:
> On 7/4/06, Andrea Pasquinucci <cesare at ucci.it> wrote:
> > About RNG, does someone in the list have any comment, ideas on this
> > http://www.idquantique.com/products/quantis.htm
>
> Why? Noise-based RNGs are just as random and just as "quantum". :)

Hella fast.  Most of the RNGs based on electrical noise are not
particularly pure -- some even use noisy diodes, which are decidedly
predictable.  Those that bother to isolate out one noise phenomenon or
another sacrifice speed, and the average consumer won't have the
technical background to judge them on anything else.  Sampling faster
gives more bits, but no more randomness.  Overall, you're going to be
limited by temperature with electrical noise phenomena.

On the other hand, the quantis device appears to be simple,
straightforward, and "clean".  But it's all sealed up in an opaque
container.  I asked them some questions about it and the person I was
speaking with didn't seem to understand why anyone would care about
what's in the module.

Note that they sell QC endpoints as well.  Very interesting company.
-- 
Resolve is what distinguishes a person who has failed from a failure.
Unix "guru" for sale or rent - http://www.lightconsulting.com/~travis/ -><-
GPG fingerprint: 9D3F 395A DAC5 5CCC 9066  151D 0A6B 4098 0C55 1484

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