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r9367@Kushana: nickm | 2006-10-24 01:55:21 -0400

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Write another ~1300 words of roadmap text.  Mark added incomplete items as tmp. add a few comments. add more notes.


svn:r8814
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Nick Mathewson 2006-10-24 05:56:00 +00:00
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@ -17,6 +17,11 @@
\maketitle \maketitle
\pagestyle{plain} \pagestyle{plain}
% TO DO:
% add cites
% add time estimates
\section{Introduction} \section{Introduction}
Hi, Roger! Hi, Shava. This paragraph should get deleted soon. Right now, Hi, Roger! Hi, Shava. This paragraph should get deleted soon. Right now,
this document goes into about as much detail as I'd like to go into for a this document goes into about as much detail as I'd like to go into for a
@ -71,11 +76,14 @@ secure\cite{tap:pet2006}, relies more on particular aspects of RSA and our
implementation thereof than we had initially believed. To future-proof implementation thereof than we had initially believed. To future-proof
against changes, we should replace it with a less delicate approach. against changes, we should replace it with a less delicate approach.
\tmp{Stream migration?} We might design a {\bf stream migration} feature so that streams tunneled
over Tor could be more resilient to dropped connections and changed IPs.
As a part of our design, we should investigate possible {\bf cipher modes}
other than counter mode. For example, a mode with built-in integrity
checking, error propagation, and random access could simplify our protocol
significantly. Sadly, many of these are patented and unavailable for us.
\tmp{Use a better AES mode that has built-in integrity checking,
doesn't grow with the number of hops, is not patented, and
is implemented and maintained by smart people.}
\subsection{Scalability} \subsection{Scalability}
@ -136,47 +144,85 @@ operation that require less RAM, and that write to disk less frequently (to
avoid wearing out flash RAM). avoid wearing out flash RAM).
\subsection{Performance: resource usage} \subsection{Performance: resource usage}
We've been working on {\bf using less RAM}, especially on servers. This has
paid off a lot for directory caches in the 0.1.2, which in some cases are
using 90\% less memory than they used to require. But we can do better,
especially in the area around our buffer management algorithms, by using an
approach more like the BSD and Linux kernels use instead of our current ring
buffer approach. (For OR connections, we can just use queues of cell-sized
chunks produced with a specialized allocator.) This could potentially save
around 25 to 50\% of the memory currently allocated for network buffers, and
make Tor a more attractive proposition for restricted-memory environments
like old computers, mobile devices, and the like.
\tmp{Use less RAM when we have little. Make buffer code smarter} We should improve our {\bf bandwidth limiting}. The current system has been
crucial in making users willing to run servers: nobody is willing to run a
server if it might use an unbounded amount of bandwidth, especially if they
are charged for their usage. We can make our system better by letting users
configure bandwidth limits independently for their own traffic and traffic
relayed for others; and by adding write limits for users running directory
servers.
\tmp{Allow separate bandwidth buckets for different bandwidth classes} This On many hosts, sockets are still in short supply, and will be until we can
gets us more users happy to run servers. migrate our protocol to UDP. We can {\bf use fewer sockets} by making our
self-to-self connections happen internally to the code rather than involving
\tmp{Write-limiting for directory servers} the operating system's socket implementation.
\tmp{Don't use so many sockets} We can save some for hidden services and for
encrypted directories.
\subsection{Performance: network usage} \subsection{Performance: network usage}
We know too little about how well our current path
selection algorithms actually spread traffic around the network in practice.
We should {\bf research the efficacy of our traffic allocation} and either
assure ourselves that it is close enough to optimal as to need no improvement
(unlikely) or {\bf identify ways to improve network usage}, and get more
users' traffic delivered faster. Performing this research will require
careful thought about anonymity implications.
\tmp{Do research to figure out how well capacity is actually used.} We should also {\bf examine the efficacy of our congestion control
algorithm}, and see whether we can improve client performance in the
presence of a congested network through dynamic `sendme' window sizes or
other means. This will have anonymity implications too if we aren't careful.
\tmp{Adapt to congestion better. Dynamic SENDME window sizes.} % \tmp{Tune pathgen algorithms to use it better.}
%
% I think I've included this in the above -NM
\tmp{Tune pathgen algorithms to use it better.} \subsection{Performance scenario: one Tor client, many users}
We should {\bf improve Tor's performance when a single Tor handles many
\subsection{Performance: one Tor client, many users} clients}. Many organizations want to manage a single Tor client on their
\tmp{Many organizations want to manage a single Tor client on their
firewall for many users, rather than having each user install a separate firewall for many users, rather than having each user install a separate
Tor client.} Nobody has tried this before, and we bet it will scale Tor client. We haven't optimized for this scenario, and it is likely that
really poorly. there are some code paths in the current implementation that become
inefficient when a single Tor is servicing hundreds or thousands of client
connections. (Additionally, it is likely that such clients have interesting
anonymity requirements the we should investigate.) We should profile Tor
under appropriate loads, identify bottlenecks, and fix them.
Other stress-testing, and fix bottlenecks we find. % \tmp{Other stress-testing, and fix bottlenecks we find.}
%
% I've moved this into 'improved testing harness' below
\subsection{Tor servers on asymmetric bandwidth} \subsection{Tor servers on asymmetric bandwidth}
\tmp{Roger, please write? I don't know what to say here.}
\subsection{Running Tor as both client and server} \subsection{Running Tor as both client and server}
many performance tradeoffs and balances that need more attention. \tmp{many performance tradeoffs and balances that need more attention.
Roger, please write.}
\subsection{Blue-sky: UDP}
\tmp{support udp traffic}
\tmp{Use udp as a transport}
\subsection{Protocol redesign for UDP}
Tor has relayed only TCP traffic since its first versions, and has used
TLS-over-TCP to do so. This approach has proved reliable and flexible, but
in the long term we will need to allow UDP traffic on the network, and switch
some or all of the network to using a UDP transport. {\bf Supporting UDP
traffic} will make Tor more suitable for protocols that require UDP, such
as many VOIP protocols. {\bf Using a UDP transport} could greatly reduce
resource limitations on servers, and make the network far less interruptable
by lossy connections. Either of these protocol changes would require a great
deal of design work, however. We hope to be able to enlist the aid of a few
talented graduate students to assist with the initial design and
specification, but the actual implementation will require significant testing
of different reliable transport approaches.
\section{Blocking resistance} \section{Blocking resistance}
@ -222,60 +268,126 @@ Our design anticipates an arms race between discovery methods and censors.
We need to begin the infrastructure on our side quickly, preferably in a We need to begin the infrastructure on our side quickly, preferably in a
flexible language like Python, so we can adapt quickly to censorship. flexible language like Python, so we can adapt quickly to censorship.
\subsection{The Tor website, docs, and mirrors} \subsection{Resisting censorship of the Tor website, docs, and mirrors}
They're the first to be blocked. How do users learn about Tor in the We should take some effort to consider {\bf initial distribution of Tor and
first place, and how do they fetch a genuine copy of Tor? related information} in countries where the Tor website and mirrors are
censored. (Right now, most countries that block access to Tor block only the
main website and leave mirrors and the network itself untouched.) Falling
back on word-of-mouth is always a good last resort, but we should also take
steps to make sure it's relatively easy for users to get ahold of a copy.
\section{Security} \section{Security}
\subsection{Security research projects} \subsection{Security research projects}
\tmp{Mixed-latency} We should investigate approaches with some promise to help Tor resist
end-to-end traffic correlation attacks. It's an open research question
whether (and to what extent) {\bf mixed-latency} networks, {\bf low-volume
long-distance padding}, or other approaches can resist these attacks, which
are currently some of the most effective against careful Tor users. We
should research these questions and perform simulations to identify
opportunities for strengthening our design without dropping performance to
unacceptable levels. %Cite something
\tmp{long-distance padding} We've got some preliminary results suggesting that {\bf a topology-aware
routing algorithm}~\cite{routing-zones} could reduce Tor users'
vulnerability against local or ISP-level adversaries, by ensuring that they
are never in a position to watch both ends of a connection. We need to
examine the effects of this approach in more detail and consider side-effects
on anonymity against other kinds of adversaries. If the approach still looks
promising, we should investigate ways for clients to implement it (or an
approximation of it) without having to download routing tables for the whole
internet.
\tmp{router-zones} %\tmp{defenses against end-to-end correlation} We don't expect any to work
%right now, but it would be useful to learn that one did. Alternatively,
%proving that one didn't would free up researchers in the field to go work on
%other things.
%
% See above; I think I got this.
\tmp{defenses against end-to-end correlation} We don't expect any to work We should research the efficacy of {\bf website fingperprinting} attacks,
right now, but it would be useful to learn that one did. Alternatively, wherein an adversary tries to match the distinctive traffic and timing
proving that one didn't would free up researchers in the field to go work on pattern of the resources constituting a given website to the traffic pattern
other things. of a user's client. These attacks work great in simulations, but in
\tmp{website fingperprinting} They work great in simulations, but in
practice we hear they don't work nearly as well. We should get some actual practice we hear they don't work nearly as well. We should get some actual
numbers on both sides of the issue, and figure out what's going on. numbers to investigte the issue, and figure out what's going on. If we
resist these attacks, or can improve our design to resist them, we should.
% add cites
\subsection{Implementation security} \subsection{Implementation security}
Right now, each Tor node stores its keys unencrypted. We should {\bf encrypt
more Tor keys} so that Tor authorities can require a startup password. We
should look into adding intermediary medium-term ``signing keys'' between
identity keys and onion keys, so that a password could be required to replace
a signing key, but not to start Tor. This would improve Tor's long-term
security, especially in its directory authority infrastructure.
\tmp{Encrypt more keys} We should also {\bf mark RAM that holds key material as non-swappable} so
that there is no risk of recovering key material from a hard disk
compromise. This would require submitting patches upstream to OpenSSL, where
support for marking memory as sensitive is currently in a very preliminary
state.
\tmp{Talk Coverity or somebody with a copy of vs2005 into running tools on There are numerous tools for identifying trouble spots in code (such as
our code} And figure out a way to get our code checked periodically rather Coverity or even VS2005's code analysis tool) and we should convince somebody
than just once. to run some of them against the Tor codebase. Ideally, we could figure out a
way to get our code checked periodically rather than just once.
\tmp{Directory guards} We should try {\bf protocol fuzzing} to identify errors in our
implementation.
Our guard nodes help prevent an attacker from being able to become a chosen
client's entry point by having each client choose a few favorite entry points
as ``guards'' and stick to them. We should implement a {\bf directory
guards} feature to keep adversaries from enumerating Tor users by acting as
a directory cache.
\subsection{Detect corrupt exits and other servers} \subsection{Detect corrupt exits and other servers}
With the success of our network, we've attracted servers in many locations,
operated by many kinds of people. Unfortunately, some of these locations
have compromised or defective networks, and some of these people are
untrustworthy or incompetent. Our current design relies on authority
administrators to identify bad nodes and mark them as nonfunctioning. We
should {\bf automate the process of identifying malfunctioning nodes} as
follows:
\tmp{Improved feedback mechanism for tools like SOAT to use} We should create a generic {\bf feedback mechanism for add-on tools} like
Mike Perry's ``Snakes on a Tor'' to report failing nodes to authorities.
\tmp{More tools like SOAT: check for routers that bork SSL, routers that We should write tools to {\bf detect more kinds of innocent node failure},
sniff (and use) passwords...} such as nodes whose network providers intercept SSL, nodes whose network
providers censor popular websites, and so on. We should also try to detect
{\bf routers that snoop traffic}; we could do this by launching connections
to throwaway accounts, and seeing which accounts get used.
\tmp{Add a way for authorities to declare families.} We should add {\bf an efficient way for authorities to mark a set of servers
as probably collaborating} though not necessarily otherwise dishonest.
This happens when an administrator starts multiple routers, but doesn't mark
them as belonging to the same family.
\tmp{Make authority administration simpler so authority ops spend less time To avoid attacks where an adversary claims good performance in order to
on random junk and more time on care and feeding of the network.} attract traffic, we should {\bf have authorities measure node performance}
(including stability and bandwidth) themselves, and not simply believe what
they're told. Measuring bandwidth can be tricky, since it's hard to
distinguish between a server with low capacity, and a high-capacity server
with most of its capacity in use.
\tmp{Authorities should measure Stable (and maybe Fast) themselves, and not {\bf Operating a directory authority should be easier.} We rely on authority
just believe declared router uptime.} operators to keep the network running well, but right now their job involves
too much busywork and administrative overhead. A better interface for them
to use could free their time to work on exception cases rather than on
adding named nodes to the network.
\subsection{Protocol security} \subsection{Protocol security}
\tmp{Build in hooks for DoS-resistance: when we need it, we'll really need In addition to other protocol changes discussed above,
it.} % And should we move somve of them down here? -NM
we should add {\bf hooks for denial-of-service resistance}; we have some
prelimiary designs, but we shouldn't postpone them until we realy need them.
If somebody tries a DDoS attack against the Tor network, we won't want to
wait for all the servers and clients to upgrade to a new version.
\section{Development infrastructure} \section{Development infrastructure}
@ -300,6 +412,11 @@ testing framework.
We should also write flexible {\bf automated single-host deployment tests} so We should also write flexible {\bf automated single-host deployment tests} so
we can more easily verify that the current codebase works with the network. we can more easily verify that the current codebase works with the network.
We should build automated {\bf stress testing} frameworks so we can see which
realistic loads cause Tor to perform badly, and regularly profile Tor against
these loads. This would give us {\it in vitro} performance values to
supplement our deployment experience.
\subsection{Centralized build system} \subsection{Centralized build system}
We currently rely on a separate packager to maintain the packaging system and We currently rely on a separate packager to maintain the packaging system and
to build Tor on each platform for which we distribute binaries. Separate to build Tor on each platform for which we distribute binaries. Separate
@ -354,7 +471,7 @@ section below
\subsection{Interface improvements} \subsection{Interface improvements}
\tmp{Allow controllers to manipulate server status.} \tmp{Allow controllers to manipulate server status.}
(Why is this in the User Experience section?) % (Why is this in the User Experience section?) -RD
\subsection{Firewall-level deployment} \subsection{Firewall-level deployment}
@ -372,17 +489,20 @@ targetted at specialized home routing hardware, could be useful.
\subsection{Assess software and configurations for anonymity risks} \subsection{Assess software and configurations for anonymity risks}
which firefox extensions to use, and which to avoid. best practices for \tmp{which firefox extensions to use, and which to avoid. best practices for
how to torify each class of application. how to torify each class of application.}
clean up our own bundled software: \tmp{clean up our own bundled software:
E.g. Merge the good features of Foxtor into Torbutton E.g. Merge the good features of Foxtor into Torbutton}
\subsection{Localization} \subsection{Localization}
Right now, most of our user-facing code is internationalized. We need to Right now, most of our user-facing code is internationalized. We need to
internationalize the last few hold-outs (like the Tor installer), and get internationalize the last few hold-outs (like the Tor installer), and get
more translations for the parts that are already internationalized. more translations for the parts that are already internationalized.
[Do you mean the Vidalia bundle installer, or the Tor-installer-for-experts? -RD]
%[Do you mean the Vidalia bundle installer, or the Tor-installer-for-experts?
%-RD]
% The latter -NM
Also, we should look into a {\bf unified translator's solution}. Currently, Also, we should look into a {\bf unified translator's solution}. Currently,
since different tools have been internationalized using the since different tools have been internationalized using the
@ -392,9 +512,8 @@ translators only need to use a single tool to translate the whole Tor suite.
\section{Support} \section{Support}
would be nice to set up some actual user support infrastructure, especially \tmp{would be nice to set up some actual user support infrastructure, especially
focusing on server operators and on coordinating volunteers. focusing on server operators and on coordinating volunteers.}
\section{Documentation} \section{Documentation}