So, we currently have a Pluggable Transport (PT) spec, and it kind-of sort-of works (The documentation is a mess that I'm working on cleaning up, but it's an orthogonal issue for how well it works).
There are a number of problems with the current PT spec that require breaking backward compatibility to fix, so eventually I would like to do so.
I'm soliciting input on what people would also like to see in a (currently hypothetical) PT spec 2.0 beyond what I already have in mind:
MUST haves: * Support dual stack Bridges correctly (Multiple server endpoints per transport) * Increase the argument space beyond 510 bytes (Prop. #227). * Mandatory ExtORPort support (currently optional, but metrics are good). * Centralized logging by the calling process (Probably via stderr). * AF_UNIX support where sensible for better sandboxing.
MIGHT haves: * Rename the env vars to not start with "TOR_PT". Some people claim that this is a good idea (I think it is stupid and cosmetic). * Ability to force at least clients to stop network activity without tearing the PT down. * Deprecate SOCKS4a, and make SOCKS5 mandatory for clients.
UNLIKELY: * Specify an interface for where fork()/exec() isn't possible (iOS). I don't think this is makes sense because it is probably too platform/caller specific. * Allow operating both as a client and a server simultaneously. I don't see a problem with running 2 copies of something for this use case.
I probably missed some things. If people have strong opinions about this, do reply, otherwise I *will* design something that I like, which will not include what other people want.
Regards,