Lava lamp random number generator made useful?

Jon Callas jon at callas.org
Sat Sep 20 15:46:27 EDT 2008


>
> Does anyone know of a cheap USB random number source?
>
> As a meandering comment, it would be extremely good for us if we had
> cheap pocket random number sources of arguable quality [1].
>
> I've often thought that if we had an open source hardware design of
> a USB random number generator ... that cost a few pennies to add
> onto any other USB toy ... then we could ask the manufacturers to
> throw it in for laughs.  Something like a small mountable disk that
> returns randoms on every block read, so the interface is trivial.
>
> Then, when it comes time to generate those special keys, we could
> simply plug it in, run it, clean up the output in software and use
> it.  Hey presto, all those nasty software and theoretical
> difficulties evaporate.

A TPM has random numbers of arguable quality. I'm happy to argue  
either side of it, but that's not what you asked.

A cheap USB camera would make a good source. The cheaper the better,  
too. Pull a frame off, hash it, and it's got entropy, even against a  
white background. No lava lamp needed.

	Jon




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