Re: where to set/override entropy $random_file location?

[RVP <rvp%SDF.ORG@localhost>]

On Sat, 11 Oct 2025, Steve Rikli wrote:

> What is the right method to set or override the location of the entropy
> $random_file as used by /etc/rc.d/random_seed , if I want to put it
> somewhere other than the default?

Short answer: /etc/rc.conf

Actually, there are 3 independent places where you can put the entropy data
filename:

1. /etc/rc.conf

  This is used by /etc/rc.d/random_seed. You can check this by running:

	sh -vx /etc/rc.d/random_seed stop > /tmp/b.log 2>&1

  then, going through /tmp/b.log.

2. /boot.cfg

  If you have `rndseed /SOME/PATH' here, then that gets passed to the kernel.

3. /etc/defaults/security.conf (or, /etc/security.conf)

  This is only processed via cron once a day at 4:15 AM:

  cron -> /etc/daily -> /etc/security -> /etc/security.conf

Just make sure all of 'em point to the same file if you change the default
location.

-RVP