> My comments were to clarify why this works 'quite well' on multi-user > systems even though the underlying source may not be truely random - and > why it may not be as usable on single user ones.
Attached is circular cross-correlation vector for two synchronized threads running on multi-core non-hyperthreading x86 processor. "Synchronized" means that one thread blocks on semaphore and then collects data, while another thread unlocks the semaphore and then collects data. "Multi-core" means that both threads exercise same external memory interface. As mentioned earlier high spikes is manifestation of system timer interrupt, nothing to worry about. But what do we make from the fact that there are areas with effectively "guaranteed" correlation of 0.02? How does the value translate in "tangible" terms? Is it acceptable? Naturally single-CPU system can't exhibit such behavior...
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