[tor-bugs] #17158 [Tor]: Run an opt-in process for fallback directories

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#17158: Run an opt-in process for fallback directories
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     Reporter:  teor          |      Owner:
         Type:  task          |     Status:  new
     Priority:  normal        |  Milestone:  Tor: 0.2.8.x-final
    Component:  Tor           |    Version:
   Resolution:                |   Keywords:  028-triaged
Actual Points:                |  Parent ID:  #15775
       Points:  medium/large  |    Sponsor:  SponsorU
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Comment (by teor):

 I think this is a good initial draft:

 Dear Relay Operators,

 We're adding a list of fallback directory mirrors to Tor in 0.2.8. Tor
 contacts fallback directory mirrors during bootstrap, and downloads the
 consensus and authority certificates from them. Once it has a verified
 consensus, it then uses the consensus to download relay descriptors.

 Fallback directory mirrors allow Tor to bootstrap in networks that block
 the Tor directory authorities. This allows people to use Tor without
 manually configuring bridges or pluggable transports.

 For more information about fallback directory mirrors, see:
 https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/wiki/doc/FallbackDirectoryMirrors

 We want to identify around 100 stable non-exit relays, as exits currently
 experience high load. (We will include exits, but we don't want to
 overload them, so the default fallback weight of exits is reduced to 20%
 of their consensus weight.)

 In October 2015, we created a list of candidate fallback directories. If
 your relay is on this list of candidates, and will be keeping its address
 and port for at least 2 years, we would appreciate permission to put it in
 the fallback directory list.
 https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/attachment/ticket/15775/fallback_dirs.inc
 (We will also include the details of relays that may become stable enough
 by the 0.2.8 release date.)

 For the initial fallback directory release, we will only put your relay on
 this list if you give us permission. Please reply on the list, or to this
 email address.

--
Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/17158#comment:4>
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