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 Disqus
Issue 268/2023
Buy this issue as a PDF
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Find SysAdmin Jobs
News
-
KDE Plasma 5.27 Beta is Ready for Testing
The latest beta iteration of the KDE Plasma desktop is now available and includes some important additions and fixes.
-
Netrunner OS 23 Is Now Available
The latest version of this Linux distribution is now based on Debian Bullseye and is ready for installation and finally hits the KDE 5.20 branch of the desktop.
-
New Linux Distribution Built for Gamers
With a Gnome desktop that offers different layouts and a custom kernel, PikaOS is a great option for gamers of all types.
-
System76 Beefs Up Popular Pangolin Laptop
The darling of open-source-powered laptops and desktops will soon drop a new AMD Ryzen 7-powered version of their popular Pangolin laptop.
-
Nobara Project Is a Modified Version of Fedora with User-Friendly Fixes
If you're looking for a version of Fedora that includes third-party and proprietary packages, look no further than the Nobara Project.
-
Gnome 44 Now Has a Release Date
Gnome 44 will be officially released on March 22, 2023.
-
Nitrux 2.6 Available with Kernel 6.1 and a Major Change
The developers of Nitrux have officially released version 2.6 of their Linux distribution with plenty of new features to excite users.
-
Vanilla OS Initial Release Is Now Available
A stock GNOME experience with on-demand immutability finally sees its first production release.
-
Critical Linux Vulnerability Found to Impact SMB Servers
A Linux vulnerability with a CVSS score of 10 has been found to affect SMB servers and can lead to remote code execution.
-
Linux Mint 21.1 Now Available with Plenty of Look and Feel Changes
Vera has arrived and although it is still using kernel 5.15, there are plenty of improvements sure to please everyone.
Real Randoms