diff --git a/docs/user-guide/FAQ.md b/docs/user-guide/FAQ.md index bbbcb50..94892d7 100644 --- a/docs/user-guide/FAQ.md +++ b/docs/user-guide/FAQ.md @@ -1,25 +1,64 @@ -Frequently asked questions -========================== - ## What is I2P? -## How exactly I2P works? Is I2P better than Tor? +I2P (Invisible Internet Protocol) is a universal anonymous network layer. +All communications over I2P are anonymous and end-to-end encrypted, participants +don't reveal their real IP addresses. + +I2P client is a software used for building and using anonymous I2P +networks. Such networks are commonly used for anonymous peer-to-peer +applications (filesharing, cryptocurrencies) and anonymous client-server +applications (websites, instant messengers, chat-servers). -Learn more at https://geti2p.net +I2P allows people from all around the world to communicate and share information +without restrictions. + +Deeper technical introduction of I2P can be found [here](https://geti2p.net/en/docs/how/tech-intro). ## How i2pd differs from original I2P implementation? +While [Java I2P](https://geti2p.net) is being original client for I2P network, i2pd has some big differences and advantages: + +* Java I2P has built-in applications for torrents, e-mail and so on. i2pd is just a router which you can use with other software through I2CP interface. +* i2pd does not require Java. It's written in C++. +* i2pd consumes less memory and CPU. +* i2pd can be compiled everywhere gcc or clang presented (including Raspberry and routers). +* i2pd has some major optimizations for faster cryptography which leads to less consumption of processor time and energy. + ## What can I use i2pd for? +i2pd can be used to organize anonymous network layer for any of your applications. + +You can run websites, create public and private chat chatrooms, use instant +messaging and E-Mail, share files -- do everything with strong privacy and +security layer. + ## Why is network so slow and unstable sometimes? -## What is good tunnel creation success rate value? +Because it's secure design, your network connection goes encrypted through a chain of 6 +random computers in the way to it's final destination. If one of those computers +is shut down, or experiences connectivity problems -- it can take some time for +I2P router to discover and fix that issue. -Average values are 15% - 40%. Larger is better. +## Help! i2pd is not working. What to do? -## Can use i2pd as a proxy for regular Internet? +First of all, synchronize system clock on your machine with Internet. -Not out of the box. You better use [Tor](https://www.torproject.org/) for that. +If that does not help, on Linux machines, check the number of open file descriptors +allowed to a proccess. Run: + + ulimit -n + +Correct value for regular i2pd node is 4096, for a floodfill it is 8192. +Set it before you run i2pd like that: + + ulimit -n 4096 && ./i2pd + +If that doesn't help, then you may have found a bug. +Contact developers with IRC or create an issue on GitHub. + +## What is good tunnel creation success rate value? + +Average values are 15% - 40%. Larger is better. ## Are there any alive I2P websites? @@ -39,4 +78,25 @@ Good idea is to configure [privoxy](https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Privoxy i2pd socks proxy has an option to pass all non-i2p traffic to Tor socks proxy. Make sure you know what are you doing! -## What is floodfill mode? +## What is a floodfill mode? + +Floodfill mode is a special mode, which contributes to I2P network more. +You may want to enable floodfill mode if you have stable uptime and high bandwidth +to share. + +## How is I2P different from Tor? + +I2P and Tor has some similarities, but they are completely different in every way possible. + +Tor is designed to act as anonymous proxy for the regular Internet, I2P is +designed to create anonymous network layer with its own private resources. + +Tor Project was started by US military and has a long history of recieving funds +from the government, while I2P was started by community of independent civilians. + +Tor is highly centralized by design, while I2P is decentralized and distributed. + +## Can use i2pd as a proxy for regular Internet? + +Not out of the box. You better use [Tor](https://www.torproject.org/) for that. +