invitation to directory server operators

[John Brooks]

Added this to my high bandwidth node - I would've done so far sooner if I
had known it wasn't default behavior. I'd say this should be enabled by
default or at least get a line in the example torrc so people know it
exists.

- John Brooks

On Thu, Sep 11, 2008 at 7:17 AM, Scott Bennett <bennett at cs.niu.edu> wrote:

> To all tor server operators (except those who run hidden service directory
> servers already):
>
>     The torstatus page as of a few minutes ago says that there are
> currently
> 1292 tor servers, of which 596 are also v2 directory servers (46.13%).  If
> a
> few directory servers comes on line or goes down, it's not likely to make
> much
> difference to the tor network as a whole.  However, only 10 of those
> directory
> servers are also hidden service directory (HSDir) servers (0.77% of total
> tor
> servers).  Fortunately, the hidden services subsystem traffic is still
> relatively low, so the load on hidden service directory servers is also
> still
> low.
>     The problem here is one of reliability.  In the weeks since I began
> paying attention, I have seen the count of hidden service directory servers
> range from as high as 13 to as low as 6 or 7.  With only these few servers
> involved, it would not be too difficult for hidden services to be shut
> down,
> either by computer or network failures or by an attacker with large
> resources.
> More people running hidden services directory servers would strengthen the
> reliability of the hidden services feature of tor.
>     For a long time, I was unaware that basic directory servers did not
> automatically provide hidden services directories, too, but rather the
> hidden
> service directory service was an optional service that could be provided at
> the directory server operator's discretion.  Then it took a short time to
> track down the means of activating hidden services directory service, which
> turned out to be very easy, of course.
>     Anyway, for those directory server operators who are willing to add
> hidden services directory service to their ordinary tor directory server's
> offerings, here's how to do it.  Note that your server must be configured
> as a directory server.  Just add the following lines to your server's torrc
> file.
>
> ## The following line enables hidden service directory mirroring.
> HidServDirectoryV2 1
>
> (Or skip the comment line, and just add the second line, as you please.)
> Then tell your tor server to reload its torrc file.  Within 24 - 25 hours
> your server will begin operating as a tor hidden services directory server.
> You probably won't even notice the difference in traffic loads on your tor
> server.
>     There is already a proposal in the works to make hidden services
> directory service the default for directory servers, which would probably
> radically increase the number of HSDir servers, providing a solution to the
> current vulnerability.  Maybe you can help render that change unnecessary,
> freeing up some time for the developers to do other things.  I propose an
> initial goal of raising that (frequently fluctuating) 0.77% to around 10%.
> How about it, folks?
>
>
>                                  Scott Bennett, Comm. ASMELG, CFIAG
> **********************************************************************
> * Internet:       bennett at cs.niu.edu                              *
> *--------------------------------------------------------------------*
> * "A well regulated and disciplined militia, is at all times a good  *
> * objection to the introduction of that bane of all free governments *
> * -- a standing army."                                               *
> *    -- Gov. John Hancock, New York Journal, 28 January 1790         *
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>
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