Restore the option of relaying short messages between contacts through DHT

It seems that this communication method has been canceled in Swarm, I guess it is because of the complexity of the Git protocol.

Synchronizing conversation history with Swarm

If neither side has a public IP address, we can only rely on the TURN server to connect at present, but when TURN is not available, it is impossible to even add contacts between devices.

I suggest adding a function that allows you to send text (which may have a size limit) to contacts through DHT. These messages do not need a perfect history, so the sender only needs to simply add a serial number. This can also give people a way to test whether DHT is working properly.

I think we can add a button similar to a real-time call to send and view the received messages independently. Users will be able to choose how to send messages.

Agreed to change “swarm” in the Jami UI, replaced by “Group” (or “Group conversation”).

The term “Swarm” will still be used in technical documentation, APIs and in publications about Jami’s technology to refer to Jami’s git-based distributed conversation technology (including both 1:1 and group conversations).

A Jami “conversation” is powered behind the scene by the “Swarm technology”.

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At present, obtaining a public IPv6 address is relatively simple, and using Stun is also relatively easy. However, many countries have strict NAT settings, and obtaining Turn is not so easy. For some countries with widespread networks, having a public IPv6 address is a relatively easy way.
Sending messages through DHT may impose more burden on DHT, but I believe that invitation messages for individuals or groups to add contacts can be sent through DHT.

That’s why I said it may have a size limit. There seems to be this communication method in the old version, but it is not controllable.

  • for each connected device, the message is encrypted with the device’s key, and sent via the DHT or a peer to the peer socket; and finally

And OpenDHT have a example program dhtchat

  • dhtchat, a very simple IM client working over the dht.

I think sending invitation messages is enough. Even if the inviter goes offline, they can still receive the invitation message, which can greatly improve the convenience of Jami

It looks like a very promising software

It looks like a very promising software