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 throw away the first 32 bits of data when operating 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 secods, 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 trasferred 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>