Dell Linux Developers Implement TPM
Most Linux users think of Trusted Platform Module (TPM) as digital rights management (DRM), i.e. software freedom prevention. However, TPM used in some Intel computer modules may have some useful functions.
Licensing a CPU core or DRM are foreign concepts in Linux. Recently, however, a few kernel developers have been looking at some of the more positive aspects of implementing TPM modules. We're therefore starting to see more device drivers for them in the kernel.
One useful function identified for TPM is pseudo-random number generation. As Fedora developer Matt Domsch indicates in his blog, he's been contacting the Linux team at Dell and recommending that they feed their TPM chip, common to Dell's PowerEdge 11G servers, into the Linux kernel's random number gathering daemon (rngd) tool. The rngd normally gets input to the entropy pool from mouse and keyboard activities, things that usually don't occur in server environments.
The Dell team has since taken the hint and written a patch for the rngd tool that derives the random number values from the TPM chip. Having a TPM-based system thus requires only enabling TPM support in the BIOS to get the sufficient random numbers. Meanwhile the patch is waiting to be picked up in the official rngd branch.
Comments
comments powered by DisqusSubscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
Nitrux 6.0 Now Ready to Rock Your World
The latest iteration of the Debian-based distribution includes all kinds of newness.
-
Linux Foundation Reports that Open Source Delivers Better ROI
In a report that may surprise no one in the Linux community, the Linux Foundation found that businesses are finding a 5X return on investment with open source software.
-
Keep Android Open
Google has announced that, soon, anyone looking to develop Android apps will have to first register centrally with Google.
-
Kernel 7.0 Now in Testing
Linus Torvalds has announced the first Release Candidate (RC) for the 7.x kernel is available for those who want to test it.
-
Introducing matrixOS, an Immutable Gentoo-Based Linux Distro
It was only a matter of time before a developer decided one of the most challenging Linux distributions needed to be immutable.
-
Chaos Comes to KDE in KaOS
KaOS devs are making a major change to the distribution, and it all comes down to one system.
-
New Linux Botnet Discovered
The SSHStalker botnet uses IRC C2 to control systems via legacy Linux kernel exploits.
-
The Next Linux Kernel Turns 7.0
Linus Torvalds has announced that after Linux kernel 6.19, we'll finally reach the 7.0 iteration stage.
-
Linux From Scratch Drops SysVinit Support
LFS will no longer support SysVinit.
-
LibreOffice 26.2 Now Available
With new features, improvements, and bug fixes, LibreOffice 26.2 delivers a modern, polished office suite without compromise.
Real Randoms