Re: [Ring] Supporting people setting up Ring servers

[Bill Auger]

Zak -

the documentation is quite thin ATM - but i will try to answer the
question as best as i can

ring is a fully distributed decentralized network based on DHT - the
only aspect that resembles a client-server relationship is the OpenDHT
bootstrap login nodes and Ethereum blockchain identity lookup server
which currently default to the ones that SaviourFaireLinux operates -
currently any peer can change their default bootstrap node to any
other on the network but it is not clear if clients can access a fully
distributed blockchain yet - the docs only say that the eventual goal
is to allow anyone to operate either

other than that - the only significant distinction between running a
"server" and simply running the phone program on a laptop or mobile
device is the uptime of the device and that a dedicated server can be
optionally installed independent of any client for maximum uptime -
such long running instances would be candidates for additional
bootstrap nodes but all connected peers are an integral part of the
infrastructure - ie. so there is a large value in convincing people to
simply run the phone in their systray

a detailed walkthrough would be a great thing but probably a ways off
- the outline of such a tutorial would be not much different than
running any other server - install the server, open the appropriate
router/firewall ports, advertise the node on some side channel, and
keep the program running around the clock - the docs also say that
SaviourFaireLinux would list long-running servers on their site

i would like to add that even if such a tutorial existed, configuring
and maintaining a server is more than the average user is capable of
or willing to do - certainly in the short-term, the best solution IMHO
would be to preconfigure a VM for that purpose - it would be a perfect
fit for something the likes of freedombox (or perhaps even libreCMC)
in order to make installation as simple as possible for non-technical
users and increase the potential of growing the network

as i said the documentation is quite thin but that is my best
understanding of ring currently - perhpas someone else will chime in
to correct any errors in my explanation or to help write a more
detailed walk-through if one is desired

the following page is currently the most detailed resource on this topic:

     
https://tuleap.ring.cx/plugins/mediawiki/wiki/ring/index.php/Ring_distributed_network