Random
Random Number Generators
Last updated
Random Number Generators
Last updated
Randomness refers to the absence of any predictable pattern or bias, implying that all possible outcomes have an equal likelihood of occurring. This concept is contextual, depending on the pool of numbers or events from which randomness is drawn. For example, a fair has six faces, making each face's probability of landing 1/6.
However, defining randomness becomes more complex with infinite sets, like natural numbers or real numbers between 0 and 1, where traditional notions of unbiased randomness don't apply due to their infinite nature.
A True Random Number Generator (TRNG) generates random numbers by monitoring natural phenomena, such as atomic decay or thermal noise. The debate on whether these processes are genuinely random or deterministic (e.g., if the universe operates as a simulation) is irrelevant for practical applications. What matters is their indistinguishability from authentic randomness.
In the context of the Luckaton , entropy is pivotal for securing seed values used in cryptographically secure random number generators (RNGs). Entropy refers to the degree of unpredictability or randomness in data, serving two key roles:
As a measure of unknown information in data.
As a source of unknown, unpredictable data itself.
In an ideal scenario, a random boolean or a coin flip would yield 1 bit of entropy. However, any bias reduces this value. The framework assesses entropy through measures like Shannon Entropy to quantify the randomness.
A practical example within the framework is the use of Unix time-stamps, which blend high- and low-resolution data. The entropy value here depends on an attacker’s precision in guessing the time-stamp.
Entropy Extraction Technique:
This method is specifically designed to harvest entropy from nanosecond-resolution timers. By conservatively estimating the entropy available per time-stamp and conducting tests on timer quality, JitterRng effectively enhances the framework's randomness. This technique acknowledges the varying degrees of entropy depending on an attacker's ability to guess time-stamps to the nearest minute or second.
By meticulously measuring and extracting entropy from available data sources, the framework ensures a secure and fair gaming experience, underpinning the robustness of RNGs used in the gaming environment.