Rijndael vs RijndaelManaged

Rijndael and RijndaelManaged are two classes of cryptography namespaces. Both are classified as an algorithm or, more specifically, an encryption algorithm.

Rijndael is a type of symmetric algorithm. It is the oldest method of encryption in transmitting and storing digital data. Other types of symmetric algorithms include DES, Triple DES, RC2 and AES. Other symmetric algorithms also have their respective implementations.

Rijndael is the base class of Rijndael algorithm. It is a public abstract class. It can also be described as “inheritable,” and it can’t be directly insatiable. It is a type of encryption algorithm; its primary job is to keep information safe, authentic, private, and secure as it is passed from one user and computer to another.

In 1997, Rijndael was created as a response when the security of Data Encryption Standard (DES) was questioned. It replaced DES when the National Institute of Standard Technology (NIST) sponsored a more secure algorithm. Rijndael was created by Vincent Rijmen and Joan Daemen. Both Rijmen and Daemen are Belgian cryptopgraphers. The name was formed by combing the beginning parts of its creators’ last names. Rijndael was a modification of Rijmen and Daemen’s former work collaboration called Square.

Rijndael was quickly adopted by many governments and international agencies. Institutions like NSA (National Security Agency), NASA (National Aeronautics and Space Authority), NESSIE (New European Schemes for Signature Integrity and Encryption) and others use Rijndeal in their computers. It evolved into a global standard and is commonly used in global communities.

Common applications of Rjindael include protocols in WPA2 (WiFi Protected Access, version 2) and in IPsec (Internet Protocol Security). Rijndael is a symmetric block cipher, an alternative to stream cipher. The block cipher is a type of cipher that applies both the cryptographic key and algorithm as a block and not as individual bits. Data is handled in 128-bit blocks but in key lengths of 128-bit, 192-bit, and 256-bit keys.

For every key length, Rjindael has a variable number of rounds. In 128 bits, there will be 9 rounds, 192 bits have 11 rounds, and 13 rounds for 256 bits. Rijndeal was further developed and updated as a candidate for Advanced Encryption Standard or AES. AES is also referred to as AES-Rjindael. Like Rjindael, AES also represents the international standard in encryption.

On the other hand, RijndaelManaged is the only implementation under Rijndael, its base class. It is classified as a public sealed class and is “non-inheritable” in contrast to its base class.
RijndealManaged is a purely managed code that also comes with a framework.

Like Rijndael, RijndaelManaged handles data in the same key lengths. It also shares some basic characteristics as Rijndael. A partial list of similarities includes similar syntax, properties, fields, as well as platforms where it is used.

Summary:

1.Rijndael is a base class algorithm where all other Rijndael implementation derived from. RijndaelManaged is one of Rijndael’s implementations.
2.Rijndael is an improvement from DES as a secure encryption standard. The name is a combination of its programmers’ last names. It was introduced in 1997 and has been used in many government and international agencies for encryption purposes. It further becomes a candidate for the Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) which is also known as AES-Rijndael. RijndaelManaged also falls under AES as it adopts the Rijndael algorithm.
Rijndael is “inheritable” while RijndaelManaged is “non-inheritable.”
3.Another difference is that Rijndael is a public abstract class while RijndaelManaged is a public sealed class.
4.Since RijndaelManaged is a derived form of Rijndael, it shares some extent of similarities. Similarities include the amount of data handled, key lengths, fields, syntax, properties, fields, platforms, and their versions.

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