Now you can’t block: the first release of the decentralized communication platform Jami has been released

Today appeared first edition decentralized communication platform Jami, it is distributed under the code name Together. Previously, the project developed under a different name - Ring, and before that - SFLPhone. In 2018, the decentralized messenger was renamed in order to avoid possible conflicts with trademarks.

The messenger code is distributed under the GPLv3 license. Jami has been released for GNU/Linux, Windows, MacOS, iOS, Android and Android TV. Optionally, you can choose one of the options for interfaces based on Qt, GTK and Electron. But the main thing here, of course, is not the interfaces, but the fact that Jami give a chance exchange messages without resorting to dedicated external servers.

Instead, a direct connection is established between users using end-to-end encryption. The keys are present only on the client side. The authentication procedure is based on X.509 certificates. In addition to messages, the platform makes it possible to make audio and video calls, create teleconferences, exchange files, organize file sharing and screen content.

Initially, this project was positioned and developed as a software SIP phone. But then the developers decided to expand the functionality of the project, while maintaining compatibility with SIP and leaving the possibility of making calls using this protocol. The program supports various codecs, including G711u, G711a, GSM, Speex, Opus, G.722, plus ICE, SIP, TLS protocols.

Communication features include Call Forward Cancel, Call Hold, Call Recording, Call History with Search, Automatic Volume Control, GNOME and KDE address book integration.

Above, we briefly talked about a reliable user authentication system. The mechanism is based on the blockchain - the address book is based on Ethereum. At the same time, you can connect from several devices at once, contacting the user, regardless of which device is active. The address book, which is responsible for the translation of names in the RingID, is implemented using nodes that are maintained by different members. They can be used to run your own node to maintain a local copy of the global address book.

As for addressing users, the developers used the OpenDHT protocol to solve this problem, which does not require the use of centralized registries with information about users. The basis of Jami is jami-daemon, which is responsible for processing connections, organizing communications, working with video and sound.

Interaction with jami-daemon is based on the LibRingClient library. It is the basis for building client software and provides the necessary functionality that is not tied to the user interface and platforms. And already on top of LibRingClient client applications are developed.

When processing a P2P messenger into a telecommunications platform, developers added new and updated existing features. Here they are:

• Improved performance on low bandwidth networks.
• Reduced the amount of resources used when working under Android and iOS.
• Rewritten client for Windows. It can also work in tablet mode.
• There are tools for teleconferencing with multiple participants.
• Added the ability to change the broadcast mode in the conference.
• The application can be turned into a server with one click (this may be necessary, for example, for conferences).
• The JAMS account management server has been implemented.
• It is possible to connect plugins that extend the capabilities of the basic messenger.

Source: habr.com