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On Mon, Aug 21, 2006 at 01:20:59PM -0700, Garrett D'Amore wrote:
> Jorge Acereda Maci? wrote:
> > Hi,
> >
> > I've noticed that reading from /dev/random without attaching a random
> > source (or specifying only a source of type RND_TYPE_NET) blocks
> > forever. Is this the intended behaviour?
> >
> > I'm running -current for ofppc which ATM doesn't attach any random
> > sources.
>=20
> Yes, without random sources, you can't get any entropy bits.  Solution
> is to add sources for entropy.  Alternatively, use /dev/urandom which
> gives back data without blocking, but might not be cryptographically robu=
st.

If you don't have ANY entropy sources, wouldn't it be better to error out=
=20
on the read? Yes, if you don't have any entropy sources, you shouldn't use=
=20
/dev/random. But "Don't do that" seems a better response than blocking=20
forever.

Take care,

Bill

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