OK. There really should be a kernel-level random number generator,
because it's useful in many kernel parts related to networking
(although they usually generate the numbers themselves for now). On
the other side, we probably should make the current high-quality (but
high-overhead) generator optional and create a kernel-level interface
to a 32-bit generator using the high-quality one if it's present or
something else (a simple linear congruential generator?) instead if
it isn't.
No, don't bother with a simple linear congruential generator --- those
are trivial to break, and most of the places where you need strong
random numbers, a linear congruential generator simply won't cut it.
That's why I've resisted strenuously any suggestion that /dev/random
might be replaced by a psuedo-random number generator --- that will
only give people a false sense of security, while network cracker cackle
with glee over how easy it is to break into Linux boxes....
- Ted