True Random Number Generator ZRANDOM ISA - True Random Bits

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ZRANDOM ISA - True Random Number Generator

( USB version here )

We offer a professional, patented hardware True Random Number Generator (TRNG) which can be directly connected to a Personal Computer (ISA slot!).

Fields of application for the ZRANDOM:

Generation of code numbers or transaction numbers
Encryption of data (e.g. for communication in the Internet)
Digital signatures
Direct use for Monte-Carlo simulations or generation of seed numbers
Reference for pseudo-random number generators
Numeric solution of mathematical problems
Control/test of gambling machines
Creation of lottery numbers

Number generation is based on a physical process, thermal noise. The advantages of true random numbers compared with "pseudo-random" numbers are obvious:

No periodicities.
Not based on an algorithm.
No predictability of random numbers based on knowledge of preceding sequences.
Certainty that no hidden correlations are present.
Certainty that the equipartition fluctuations are purely stochastic. (Pseudo-random numbers contain systematic, unnatural fluctuations in the equipartition.)

A special sampling technique guarantees that there is no bias towards 1's or 0's. The noise energy spectrum and the sampling rate are matched in such a way that the theoretically remaining bit correlation would not be detectable even for an uninterrupted generation time of billion years. No use of free-running oscillators which increase the risk of serial correlations. The Windows NT generation program contains four online random bit tests specified by FIPS PUB140-1 (see below).

Is there a need for True Random Numbers - produced by a Hardware Generator?

Generation rates

There are two modes with different generation rates:

Physical mode: 50,000 bits/s

In the physical mode only random bits which are physically generated by sampling thermal electronic noise are used. There is no use of pseudo-random bits at all. In this mode the generation rate is reduced in order to guarantee a very good quality of the random bits.

XOR mode: 500,000 to 800,000 bits/s

In the XOR mode for every resulting (recorded) random bit one physical random bit and one pseudo-random bit have been used. Since the statistical properties of the resulting bits are due to a very good pseudo-random bit algorithm, the physical random bits can be generated with maximum speed. With a Pentium II / 300 MHz a generation rate of about 600.000 bits/s is available. When the FIPS PUB140-1 online tests are enabled the XOR generation rate may be reduced about 30% due to the large number of calculations.

Security

In both modes absolutely non-deterministic, i.e. unpredictable random bit sequences are generated. During generation the most important statistical properties of the random bits are checked (even if the FIPS PUB140-1 online tests are disabled). No bits which did not pass the tests are recorded. Enabling the FIPS PUB140-1 online tests further increases the security. Here you will find an example protocol file of the online tests.

Hardware requirements:

Processor: Pentium 100 MHz or higher ( Pentium II / 300 MHz or higher recommended )
1 free ISA slot
Floppy disk drive 3.5"
VGA graphic display

The ZRANDOM hardware consists of an external device which contains the shielded noise generator, an ISA interface card, and a cable to connect the external device to the PC.

Operating systems:

Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows NT
Linux (Only source code program in C with rudimentary functions for true random bit generation available.)

Windows NT/2000/XP - Software:

Click on the links below to get screen shots of the programs/infos.

Generation of true random bits Win NT/2000/XP - (program info)

Conversion to Integer or Real random numbers Win 95/98/NT/2000/XP - (programm info)

The software for Windows NT/2000/XP is a 32-bit-application and is characterised by ergonomic graphic control panels. The generator can run in the background, but it can be interrupted at any time if the full CPU performance is required for other applications. A special hardware driver is included because Windows NT/2000/XP does not permit direct hardware access (to the noise generator). A pentium-like processor is recommended.

In addition an API (Application Program Interface) is provided by a DLL.. By use of this DLL it is feasible to generate 20000 True Random Bits on demand. The DLL function to start the ZRANDOM generator can be called by Delphi, C++ or Visual Basic. Here you will find hints how to call the DLL function. With corresponding commands the ZRANDOM generator can also be started in C++ or Visual Basic programs.

Following amount of random bits can be produced per day:

With a generation rate of 50,000 bits/second: about 500 MByte
With a generation rate of 600,000 bits/second: about 6 GByte

Binary random bit files created by the ZRANDOM pass the DIEHARD - TEST developed by George Marsaglia without any problems. DIEHARD contains 15 statistical random bit tests and can be regarded as an "acid test" for every random number generator. A lot of generators, like RAN2 from Numerical Recipes, don't pass this test.

Key words:

true random numbers , true random number generator , hardware random number generator , thermal noise , white noise , truly random numbers , high speed generation , random bit , Monte Carlo simulation , encoding , code , encryption , cryptography , crypto , random digit , PGP , pretty good privacy , Vernam code , true random numbers , random bit tests FIPS PUB140-1 , digital signatures , DLL , API Application Program Interface

Prices:

True Random Number Generator ZRANDOM (ISA port) incl. hardware, software.

Including freight costs and german VAT (16%) the prices are

ZRANDOM ISA without XOR function (50,000 bits/s): 585 EURO or 695 US$ (USA)

ZRANDOM ISA with XOR function (up to 800,000 bits/s): 829 EURO or 995 US$ (USA)

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