Hi Nick,
and here are a few comments to your proposal 185:
On 9/20/11 9:34 PM, Nick Mathewson wrote:
Configuration:
Add a new torrc option, "DirCache". Its values can be "0", "1", and "auto". If it is 0, we never act as a directory cache, even if DirPort is set.
Do these relays set "dir-cache 0" in their router descriptors? Or do they just not include "dir-cache 1"? But if they set a non-zero DirPort, how will the directory authorities and clients know that the node doesn't want to act as a directory cache?
If it is 1, then we act as a directory cache according to same rules as those used for nodes that set a DirPort. If it is "auto", then Tor decides whether to act as a directory cache.
What are the rules when setting a DirPort? Successful self-test and minimum advertised bandwidth? How's "1" different from "auto" if Tor decides whether to act as a directory cache in both cases?
Consensus:
Authorities should assign a "DirCache" flag to all nodes running as a directory cache that do not set a DirPort.
Would it make sense to have them assign the "DirCache" flag for nodes with a non-zero DirPort, too?
Best, Karsten