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cjdelisle/cjdns

Free

An encrypted IPv6 network using public-key cryptography for address allocation and a distributed hash table for routing.

FreeFree tier
Type
Open Source

About cjdelisle/cjdns

Cjdns is an open-source software project that implements an encrypted IPv6 network using public-key cryptography for address allocation and a distributed hash table for routing. It provides near-zero-configuration networking, addressing many security and scalability issues found in traditional networks. The project aims to create a reliable, secure, and decentralized mesh network where nodes automatically discover and communicate with each other. It can be used as a VPN alternative, for peer-to-peer applications, and to build overlay networks. Testimonials from users praise its reliability, speed improvements, and ease of use compared to other networks.

Key Features

Encrypted IPv6 networking using public-key cryptography
Distributed hash table (DHT) for routing
Near-zero-configuration networking
Prevents many security and scalability issues of traditional networks
Supports building mesh networks and overlay networks
Can be used as a VPN gateway for LAN
Open-source with permissive license (GPL)
Cross-platform support (Linux, macOS, etc.)
Build from source using Rust and NodeJS or use pre-built binaries via cjdns.sh

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Strong encryption and security by default
  • Automatic address allocation and routing reduces configuration effort
  • Proven reliability and speed improvements over traditional internet
  • Open-source and community-driven with active development
  • Scalable to many nodes without central management
  • Free to use with no licensing costs
Cons
  • Requires manual installation or compilation from source
  • Not as widely adopted as traditional VPN solutions
  • Learning curve for users unfamiliar with mesh networking concepts
  • Dependence on community IRC and documentation for support
  • Performance may vary depending on network topology

Best For

Secure peer-to-peer communicationBuilding decentralized mesh networksVPN replacement for faster, more reliable connectionsConnecting VPS instances securelyOverlay networking for IoT or distributed applicationsNetwork research and experimentation

FAQ

How do I install cjdns?
On Linux with amd64 processor, you can install pre-built binaries using cjdns.sh. Alternatively, you can build from source; you need Rust and NodeJS for building the C code, plus GCC or Clang C compiler.
What makes cjdns different from traditional VPNs?
Cjdns uses public-key cryptography for address allocation and a distributed hash table for routing, enabling near-zero-configuration networking and eliminating many security and scalability issues found in traditional networks.
Is cjdns anonymous?
Cjdns is designed for secure, encrypted communication but prioritizes speed and reliability over anonymity. Testimonials note that it is faster than I2P, which focuses on anonymity.
Where can I get help or discuss cjdns?
The community uses IRC at irc://irc.efnet.org/#cjdns. There is also a whitepaper and documentation available in the repository.