Mcrypt Functions
PHP Manual

mcrypt_create_iv

(PHP 4, PHP 5)

mcrypt_create_ivCreate an initialization vector (IV) from a random source

Description

string mcrypt_create_iv ( int $size [, int $source = MCRYPT_DEV_RANDOM ] )

Create an initialization vector (IV) from a random source.

The IV is only meant to give an alternative seed to the encryption routines. This IV does not need to be secret at all, though it can be desirable. You even can send it along with your ciphertext without losing security.

Parameters

size

Determines the size of the IV, parameter source (defaults to random value) specifies the source of the IV.

source

The source can be MCRYPT_RAND (system random number generator), MCRYPT_DEV_RANDOM (read data from /dev/random) and MCRYPT_DEV_URANDOM (read data from /dev/urandom). Prior to 5.3.0, MCRYPT_RAND was the only one supported on Windows.

Return Values

Returns the initialization vector, or FALSE on error.

Changelog

Version Description
5.3.0 MCRYPT_DEV_RANDOM and MCRYPT_DEV_URANDOM became available on Windows platforms.
5.3.0 It is no longer required to call srand() first. This is now done automatically.

Examples

Example #1 mcrypt_create_iv() example

<?php
    $size 
mcrypt_get_iv_size(MCRYPT_CAST_256MCRYPT_MODE_CFB);
    
$iv mcrypt_create_iv($sizeMCRYPT_DEV_RANDOM);
?>

See Also


Mcrypt Functions
PHP Manual