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Author: Hendrik Boom
Date:  
To: dng
Subject: Re: [DNG] Systemd depends on random numbers in order to work properly
On Tue, Jul 09, 2019 at 07:07:20AM -0400, Steve Litt wrote:
> On Tue, 09 Jul 2019 10:54:46 +0200
> Martin Steigerwald <martin@???> wrote:
>
> > Martin Steigerwald - 08.07.19, 17:35:
> > > Just another reason I am happy to use sysvinit on my systems.
> > >
> > > unblock: systemd/241-4
> > > https://bugs.debian.org/929215
> > >
> > > Booting system should not depend on random numbers to be available
> > > in a large enough quantity.
> > >
> > > Granted there is a processor bug involved… but why rely on the
> > > random number generator of CPUs anyway?
> >
> > https://www.debian.org/releases/buster/amd64/release-notes/ch-information.en.html#entropy-starvation
>
> The preceding article mentions using haveged, which many consider
> insecure. So for those times when *I* use systemd, I've created a
> superior solution...
>
> I loosely attach my mouse to my stationary bike in such a way that the
> mouse's LED shines on the stationary bike's belt, building up entropy.
> Within 10 seconds boot begins!
>
> I've mentioned many times that although systemd holds out the promise
> of fast boot, it takes someone with my skills to bring that fast boot
> to fruition.


What need could there possibly be for randomness at boot time?
What *use* could there even be, never mind need?

-- hendrik