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nbdkit-random-plugin(1) NBDKIT nbdkit-random-plugin(1) NAME nbdkit-random-plugin - plugin to serve random data SYNOPSIS nbdkit random [size=]SIZE [seed=SEED] [fast=true] DESCRIPTION "nbdkit-random-plugin" is a plugin for nbdkit(1) which serves random data. This plugin is mainly good for testing NBD clients. This plugin creates a non-sparse random disk, for a sparse random disk see nbdkit-sparse-random-plugin(1). For a plugin containing a predictable test pattern see nbdkit-pattern-plugin(1). The size of the virtual disk must be specified using the "size" parameter. If you specify the "seed" parameter then you will get the same random data over multiple runs with the same seed. In "fast=true" mode, the same sector of random data is repeated across the disk with small variations. As the name suggests, this is much faster, and is usually sufficient for testing. The random data is generated using an insecure method. Writes and testing copying Writing to the disk is possible. If you do this the plugin will check that what you are writing exactly matches what would be read at the same offset (if not, it returns EIO error). You can use this to test copying programs by making the source and destination NBD URIs be the same: nbdkit random size=100M --run 'nbdcopy "$uri" "$uri"' "qemu-img convert" could be used in place of nbdcopy. See also nbdkit-checkwrite-filter(1). PARAMETERS fast=true Instead of generating completely random data, a single sector of random data is generated when the plugin starts up, which is duplicated across the disk with variations. [size=]SIZE Specify the virtual size of the disk image. This parameter is required. "size=" prefix may be omitted in most cases. See "Magic parameters" in nbdkit(1). seed=SEED Specify the random seed to get repeatable data over multiple runs. If not specified then a random seed is chosen. FILES $plugindir/nbdkit-random-plugin.so The plugin. Use "nbdkit --dump-config" to find the location of $plugindir. VERSION "nbdkit-random-plugin" first appeared in nbdkit 1.4. SEE ALSO nbdkit(1), nbdkit-plugin(3), nbdkit-data-plugin(1), nbdkit-full-plugin(1), nbdkit-null-plugin(1), nbdkit-ones-plugin(1), nbdkit-pattern-plugin(1), nbdkit-sparse-random-plugin(1), nbdkit-zero-plugin(1), nbdcopy(1), qemu-img(1). AUTHORS Richard W.M. Jones COPYRIGHT Copyright Red Hat LICENSE Redistribution and use in source and binary forms, with or without modification, are permitted provided that the following conditions are met: • Redistributions of source code must retain the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer. • Redistributions in binary form must reproduce the above copyright notice, this list of conditions and the following disclaimer in the documentation and/or other materials provided with the distribution. • Neither the name of Red Hat nor the names of its contributors may be used to endorse or promote products derived from this software without specific prior written permission. THIS SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED BY RED HAT AND CONTRIBUTORS ''AS IS'' AND ANY EXPRESS OR IMPLIED WARRANTIES, INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE ARE DISCLAIMED. IN NO EVENT SHALL RED HAT OR CONTRIBUTORS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL, EXEMPLARY, OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, PROCUREMENT OF SUBSTITUTE GOODS OR SERVICES; LOSS OF USE, DATA, OR PROFITS; OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) HOWEVER CAUSED AND ON ANY THEORY OF LIABILITY, WHETHER IN CONTRACT, STRICT LIABILITY, OR TORT (INCLUDING NEGLIGENCE OR OTHERWISE) ARISING IN ANY WAY OUT OF THE USE OF THIS SOFTWARE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGE. nbdkit-1.46.0 2026-03-04 nbdkit-random-plugin(1)
NAME | SYNOPSIS | DESCRIPTION | PARAMETERS | FILES | VERSION | SEE ALSO | AUTHORS | COPYRIGHT | LICENSE
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