There is at present a great interest in random vibration as a special aspect of shock and vibration, especially in relation to effects on equipment. An attempt will be made to explain to members of the Acoustical Society of America (particularly those concerned with shock and vibration) what is meant by random vibration as opposed to other excitations that might be confused with it, what is involved in random vibration testing, what the corresponding objectives are, why there is controversy about these general subjects, and how some of the controversies may be resolved.