Name: Simon Désaulniers
Contact/Email/IRC nick: mail: sim.desaulniers@gmail.com, IRC (freenode): sim590
Background: I a double bachelor’s degree in mathematics and computer science. I have 4 years of research in mathematics. I also have contributed to OpenDHT during about a year as a student from Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières (UQTR) and a member of a research team at Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). In the last year, I have perfected my knowledge of C++11, distributed hash tables (strengths and weaknesses) and python programming. I also have suitable knowledge and great interest in free software, GNU/Linux, network of trust development model (gpg, git, ...).
Project title: Improving distributed and secure communication using free software.
Project details: OpenDHT is a distributed hash table library used by the Ring project and is at the heart of its communication. OpenDHT is essentially what's making Ring unique by making Ring distributed among all of its users. The goal of the project is to improve OpenDHT and add significant features available through its API, hence enlarging possibilities in Ring. The work would have a considerable impact on chat communication and network traffic generated by OpenDHT transactions.
Synopsis: Ring, OpenDHT, kademlia distributed hash table.
Benefits to Debian: Ring is a free software for distributed and secure audio, video and chat communication and is soon to be included in the debian project. It has been presented at FOSDEM and Libre Planet events and has made a lot of noise already in the free software community. Many are excited about the coming future of communication that Ring is making possible. The software is growing in popularity in the debian community, but it needs more contributions for answering users demands. Also, the will of having a good, simple, efficient, confidential alternative to software like skype is strong. Therefor, Debian would greatly benefit over the development of Ring.
Deliverables: Adding robust data persistence to OpenDHT, adding flexible solution for handling specific filtering queries over data in OpenDHT, switching OpenDHT transport layer protocol from UDP to TCP.
Project schedule: I have already begun. The project should end at the same time as GSOC, i.e end of august.
- Developping new functionalities in OpenDHT aiming at reducing overall generated traffic.
- Maintenance and optimization of the OpenDHT code in general.
- Optimizing data persistence solution over the distributed hash table.
- Merge (1) in the Ring daemon component in order to benefit from lower traffic in Ring.
- Make OpenDHT use TCP protocol instead of UDP. This is going to reduce code complexity and enhance robsutness of the DHT.
Exams and other commitments: No exam during the summer.
Other summer plans: I don't have any other plans. I'm ready to commit myself full time to this.
Why Debian?: Debian is one of the leading organizations of the GNU/Linux world and since their attention is driven toward a project I care so much about, I've decided Debian was the perfect organization to supply my candidature to.
My previous Debian contributions: None. This will be my first significative contribution to the Debian project.
Are you applying for other projects in SoC? No.
