Hi,
I've done a performance test to answer the following questions:
- Is randomsound faster than haveged or vice versa?
- Do they block each other or result in even more entropy available?
All tests have been done in Virtual Box.
Every 1.0s: cat /proc/sys/kernel/random/entropy_avail
watch -n 1 cat /proc/sys/kernel/random/entropy_avail
no package installed ~130 and ~180
rng-tools in VM without rng hardware no effect
ekeyd in VM without entropykey no effect
randomsound only ~130 and ~3800
haveged only ~1100 and ~4000
randomsound and haveged ~1100 and ~4000
(~ is defined as, for exmaple ~1100 could be up to 1199.)
Off topic:
http://en.gentoo-wiki.com/wiki/Generating_better_random_numbers#Dieharder
is an excellent source for information about entropy in general.
I am conducting some entropy quality tests and will share the results soon.
Cheers,
adrelanos