Why might /dev/random not exist on a newly provided server?

Question

I've just started renting a new Debian Lenny server, but /dev/random is missing. However I can see /dev/urandom. Why might this be missing, and how can I create it?

Answer 1

I've never seen a Linux system without /dev/random. It should always be present (and in fact some servers rely on it). Just bug your provider about it, they need to fix it.

As to creating it yourself:

Normally it should be created by udev on bootup. If you don't use udev, you can create it yourself using MAKEDEV. But you should probably fix the root cause.

Answer 2

This is a failure which sometimes happens with an update or a new installation. This should be fixed by your provider!! Tell him maybe he will do a new installation

Here is the right command to create the Random Device for yourself:

mknod /dev/random c 1 9

But you should tell it to your provider!

Here is another link that describes the problem: http://markus.revti.com/2007/12/creating-devrandom/

Answer 3

apt-get install udev