Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

Hello all
on an AIX 5.3 TL 12 SP 5 box im about to change the default crypt hash algorithm and instead use one of the supported LPAs such as sha-256 or sha-512. I assume why not use the sha-512 since the message digest is longer (512bits) compared to the 256bits of sha-256. Would anyone know if there is any objection into prefering sha-512 over sha-256 or vice versa...?

Also im reading around that sha-512 computes faster on 64bit cpu but i also wanted to test this. i found that csum command computes hashes for files so preceeding it with time command gives you a clue, but is limited to only sha-1 or md5.Is there a similar command or way to computte hash for sha-256 and sha-512?

any help is appreciated?
http://wiki.lodbrok.be/?n=Main.AIXLongPasswords
https://community.emc.com/community/edn/rsashare/blog/2010/11/01/sha-2-algorithms-when-sha-512-is-more-secure-and-faster
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHA-2
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Originally posted by: ColombianJoker

I can send you a python script I've done to compare my files. You can create MD and SHA checksum of big files with it.

I'll always use SHA256 hashes in my new configured servers.
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Originally posted by: SystemAdmin

hmm why not go about using sha-512 then for your newly configured server?
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