HowTo/How to help I2P network and users with your own I2P node

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Introduction

Some users running I2P after some months typically wish to help the project/the network more, for example with their bandwidth, CPU, storage space, RAM, etc.

An easy way to help the I2P network and/or the I2P users is to run some applications designed for I2P, even if you do not use them yourself. But be careful: Some applications are known to spread content that violates common standards.

The first step in helping the network is configuring your network right:

  • Disabling the UPnP usage by the I2P router is recommended.
  • Forward the ports by yourself in your router (your actual router, not the I2P router) settings (one for TCP, and one other for UDP).

You might want to read this page for more information: HowTo/ConfigureRouter.

List of suggested softwares to run

Name OS Category Plugin available? Mainly needs... Info updated Comment
BitTorrent Windows, Linux File sharing Already built-in[1] Bandwidth, HDD Timeless See here for other available clients
I2P-Bote Windows, Linux eMail Yes Bandwidth 2023-01 Obsolete[2]
pboted Windows, Linux eMail No Bandwidth 2023-01 C++ impl. of I2P-Bote
PyBitmessage-I2P Windows, Linux eMail No RAM 2016-02
Tahoe-LAFS Windows, Linux File sharing Yes Bandwidth, HDD 2016-02 REQ 24/7
I2Phex Windows, Linux File sharing Yes Bandwidth 2016-02
Syndie Windows, Linux Forums Yes Bandwidth, RAM 2016-02 As an archive server. REQ 24/7
OFS Windows, Linux Forums, file sharing No HDD, RAM 2016-02
Aktie Windows, Linux Forums, file sharing No CPU 2016-03 Alpha version
Seedless Windows, Linux I2P network Yes Bandwidth 2016-02 As a server. REQ 24/7

"REQ 24/7" means that the service/software needs to run 24/7, otherwise you might harm the service for other users.

Note: It's easier to install a software as a plugin (when available) to the I2P router console, however before installing a plugin, please check if there is a more recent standalone version released than the plugin version.

How do you increase utilization of upload bandwidth

This is a question often asked by newcomers to I2P (example on forum.i2p).

The long answer (small info/guide text) is available on echelon.i2p.

Tweaks

If you have more upload bandwidth than the average user (128 KBytes/s in 2014), allowing more RAM memory to the I2P's Java VM may allow it to optimize its performance better, letting it use more of your bandwidth:

In the file "wrapper.config", edit the line "wrapper.java.maxmemory=XYZ" to something higher than whatever it has (ie: 128->256, 512, ...). Then restart the I2P router.

If you use I2PSnark, you might also want to increase the 'total uploader limit'.

Misc

Floodfill mode

Running a floodfill node helps the network more (by helping other nodes finding destinations). It will increase the load on your router.

I2P sets automatic floodfill participation based on system capabilities since release v0.6.3 (2008).

A router can also be forced to be a floodfill participant at I2P advanced configuration as of release v0.9.31-0 (2017).

How to know if my I2P node is running as a floodfill node?

More reading about floodfill

What does 'caps' mean?

On the main I2P router console, left column, at the line "Local Identity" click "show".

Look at the line "caps = ..." ("caps" mean capabilities).

The first letter categorize the network capacity, L/M/N/O/P/X from small to large shared bandwidth:

  • Class L [ 12 - 32KBps ]
  • Class M [ 32 - 64KBps ]
  • Class N [ 64 - 128KBps ]
  • Class O [ 128 - 256KBps ]
  • Class P [ 256 - 2000KBps ]
  • Class X [ >2000KBps ]

Next letters:

  • f = Floodfill mode (your I2P node is one of the floodfill nodes)
  • R = Node reachable (to confirm)

See also

References

  1. ↑ ...as I2PSnark but you may use other clients.
  2. ↑ http://zzz.i2p/topics/2853-rip-bote

External links

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