Hello!
Relays running unsupported Tor versions is a problem we have never really dealt with in a systematic way in the way. Some of you might recall that we (with the help of volunteers) tried back in 2019/2020 to get operators, running an unsupported Tor version, to upgrade[1] but then we dropped the ball. Alas.
We just started that process again by contacting every relay operator running an outdated Tor version (any version not 0.3.5.x or 0.4.5.x or 0.4.6.x or 0.4.7.x) by email where possible. Additionally, we created a wiki page outlining the current process and things we still need to figure out.[2] On that page we plan to make statistics related to the EOL relay removal available as well, including the final list of relays we'll reject. Thus, stay tuned. Feedback, as always, is very much welcome!
We plan to keep this topic on our radar this time while refining the process as we go. Meanwhile, if you are running a relay with an unsupported Tor version, please upgrade for the sake of our users' safety.
If you need help, join us on #tor-relays or #tor-relays:matrix.org if you use Element.
Thanks, Georg
[1] https://blog.torproject.org/removing-end-life-relays-network [2] https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/network-health/team/-/wikis/Relay-EOL-poli...
Georg Koppen:
Hello!
Relays running unsupported Tor versions is a problem we have never really dealt with in a systematic way in the way. Some of you might recall that we (with the help of volunteers) tried back in 2019/2020 to get operators, running an unsupported Tor version, to upgrade[1] but then we dropped the ball. Alas.
We just started that process again by contacting every relay operator running an outdated Tor version (any version not 0.3.5.x or 0.4.5.x or 0.4.6.x or 0.4.7.x) by email where possible.
Just to give an update on that: We've reached out to every relay operator affected, provided they had a valid contact info set. Additionally, I am taking new relays with outdated versions into account on a weekly basis, contacting those operators where possible, too. You can follow the overall progress in our bug tracker[1] but things are pointing into the right direction. However, there are plenty of relays still on unsupported Tor versions. If you reading this mail are one of their operators please upgrade your Tor version.
Tor 0.4.7 will contain a hard block of those unsupported versions at the directory authority level[2]. But we don't want to wait until 0.4.7 stable finally gets out and directory authorities have upgraded to it. Therefore, we plan to reject all relays which are still running unsupported versions by *December 1 2021*. This gives more than another month to get relays upgraded.
Georg
[1] https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/network-health/team/-/issues/56 [2] https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/core/tor/-/issues/40480
Relays running unsupported Tor versions is a problem we have never really dealt with in a systematic way in the way. Some of you might recall that we (with the help of volunteers) tried back in 2019/2020 to get operators, running an unsupported Tor version, to upgrade[1] but then we dropped the ball. Alas. […]
Is there any data available that sheds light on why operators run outdated versions, so the situation could be addressed not only reactively, but also in a preventive manner?
mpan
mpan:
Relays running unsupported Tor versions is a problem we have never really dealt with in a systematic way in the way. Some of you might recall that we (with the help of volunteers) tried back in 2019/2020 to get operators, running an unsupported Tor version, to upgrade[1] but then we dropped the ball. Alas. […]
Is there any data available that sheds light on why operators run outdated versions, so the situation could be addressed not only reactively, but also in a preventive manner?
I don't think we have e.g. any survey data or such. But from looking at the Tor versions which relays run and after feedback from operators that got back to us I think a really large part of this problems stems from Linux distributions not keeping up with our releases. Ubuntu is well-known for this issue but certainly not the only distribution worth mentioning here.
The solution for that is our own repository for Debian-based systems and packages made by volunteers for, say, RPM-based systems. Or, if there is nothing of that applicable, compiling from source (which is, granted, not the best solution, though).
Georg
mpan
tor-relays mailing list tor-relays@lists.torproject.org https://lists.torproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/tor-relays
Georg Koppen:
Hello!
Relays running unsupported Tor versions is a problem we have never really dealt with in a systematic way in the way. Some of you might recall that we (with the help of volunteers) tried back in 2019/2020 to get operators, running an unsupported Tor version, to upgrade[1] but then we dropped the ball. Alas.
We just started that process again by contacting every relay operator running an outdated Tor version (any version not 0.3.5.x or 0.4.5.x or 0.4.6.x or 0.4.7.x) by email where possible. Additionally, we created a wiki page outlining the current process and things we still need to figure out.[2] On that page we plan to make statistics related to the EOL relay removal available as well, including the final list of relays we'll reject. Thus, stay tuned. Feedback, as always, is very much welcome!
Alright, I collected all the fingerprints of relays still running an EOL version (that is, relays running none of 0.3.5.x, 0.4.5.x, 0.4.6.x or 0.4.7.x), which are 449, and prepared a commit to reject those. This rejection will likely happen at some point in the next couple of hours once a majority of directory authorities has picked up that commit.
At the same time I updated the wiki[2] adding all the relay fingerprints of those relays, so we have a public record.
If this is affecting anyone of you, please upgrade your relay to a supported Tor version and get in touch with us (off-list), so we can help you getting the relay unblocked again.
Thanks, Georg
[snip]
[1] https://blog.torproject.org/removing-end-life-relays-network [2] https://gitlab.torproject.org/tpo/network-health/team/-/wikis/Relay-EOL-poli...
tor-relays mailing list tor-relays@lists.torproject.org https://lists.torproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/tor-relays
tor-relays@lists.torproject.org
-
Georg Koppen -
mpan