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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minuteDriver Scan →“Rain Doll” is one way to pronounce Rijndael, the cipher that NIST selected as the basis for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES). It is not the formal name of a separate algorithm. AES standardizes Rijndael with 128-bit blocks and 128-, 192-, or 256-bit keys.
What does “Rain Doll” mean?
“Rain Doll” is a pronunciation alternative for Rijndael, the name of a cipher developed by Belgian cryptographers Joan Daemen and Vincent Rijmen. NIST lists three possible pronunciations: “Reign Dahl,” “Rain Doll,” and “Rhine Dahl.” The spelling of the algorithm’s name is Rijndael; “Rain Doll” is a way of saying it aloud, not a different cipher. NIST’s AES development Q&A gives those pronunciation alternatives.
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How are Rijndael and AES related?
Rijndael describes a cipher family. AES is the standardized version NIST selected from that family and specified in Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 197. In particular, AES fixes the block size at 128 bits, whereas Rijndael as a family allows other block sizes. The AES standard defines three key lengths:
| AES variant | Block size | Key size |
|---|---|---|
| AES-128 | 128 bits | 128 bits |
| AES-192 | 128 bits | 192 bits |
| AES-256 | 128 bits | 256 bits |
These specifications are set out in NIST FIPS 197. The number in each AES variant’s name indicates its key size, not its block size.
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What kind of algorithm is AES?
AES is a symmetric block cipher. A block cipher encrypts and decrypts data in fixed-size blocks; symmetric means the same secret key is used for both operations. In practical systems, AES is typically used with a mode of operation that handles data longer than one block. The standard’s 128-bit block size describes the cipher’s basic unit, not a limit on the size of a file or message it can protect.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Why was Rijndael chosen?
NIST selected Rijndael in October 2000 following an international competition. Its announcement described the choice as a balance of security, performance, efficiency, and flexibility; NIST’s accompanying Q&A also cited ease of implementation. The selection established the basis for AES, which NIST formally incorporated into FIPS 197. NIST’s selection announcement and its AES development Q&A provide the historical context.
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