[tor-bugs] #17905 [Tor]: Consider removing fallback directory weights

Tor Bug Tracker & Wiki blackhole at torproject.org
Sun Jan 17 21:29:45 UTC 2016


#17905: Consider removing fallback directory weights
-------------------------+------------------------------------
 Reporter:  teor         |          Owner:
     Type:  enhancement  |         Status:  reopened
 Priority:  Medium       |      Milestone:  Tor: 0.2.8.x-final
Component:  Tor          |        Version:
 Severity:  Normal       |     Resolution:
 Keywords:               |  Actual Points:
Parent ID:               |         Points:
  Sponsor:               |
-------------------------+------------------------------------
Changes (by s7r):

 * status:  closed => reopened
 * cc: s7r, Sebastian (added)
 * resolution:  wontfix =>


Comment:

 I will reopen this ticket for one last debate given teor is getting close
 on coding it.

 Me and Sebastian think we should not hardcode any weights for the fallback
 directories, and give the very same probability for each fallback
 directory to be randomly picked by a client. We split the load from 9
 servers to 100(+9) servers. If one fallback directory mirror is not fast
 enough to handle the extra load required by this, it shouldn't be on the
 list in the first place.

 Totally agree with nick, weights are very important for path selection and
 circuit creation / probability to be picked in a circuit. But this is
 something different, one-time per client at initial bootstrap (we have
 directory guards once we have a consensus) and I think we can make an
 exception here.

 Additional advantage is that we only have to maintain a list of fallback
 relays, not also weights which are subject to constant change (relay's
 internet connection breaks, DDoS, bwauths can't measure it, fraction in
 consensus changes, etc.).

--
Ticket URL: <https://trac.torproject.org/projects/tor/ticket/17905#comment:3>
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