vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet
finalizing the de-MLS RFC with consensus integration with the multi-admin support and implementing the last version RFC
Description
This commitment involves completing the de-MLS RFC by incorporating multi-administrator configurations with decentralized consensus and implementing it with a multi-admin setup over the Waku network. The process includes presenting the findings such as MLS over Waku and benchmarking, then applying for the EF grant.
Background
de-MLS is a decentralized, scalable, end-to-end encrypted (E2EE) group messaging application with Ethereum-based authentication. The primary goal of this project is to develop a comprehensive and mature RFC that outlines decentralized, secure, and scalable group key generation, designed to accommodate large numbers of users within a single group.
During 2025q1, we removed centralized aspects of the RFC by integrating the consensus mechanism among the users for achieving true decentralization. Also, we relese the extended implementation that multi-waku node can cooperate. The implementation plan for this quarter is to extend the initial single admin approach to a multi-admin configuration with consensus operating across the Waku network.
Narratives
we will reinforce the Conduit of Expertise narrative by:
- Develop the foundational framework for a decentralized, scalable messaging application
- Research and implement the scalable and decentralized consensus mechanism.
We will also strengthen the Premier Research Destination narrative by:
- Develop a standardized decentralized messaging application over the Waku network, by providing a well-structured RFC and a proof of concept (PoC) that demonstrates its base functionality within the ecosystem. This will allow teams and organizations to build their own messaging applications while benefiting from these features.
- Create a proposal for the Ethereum Foundation (EF) to apply for EF grants to promote the project and gain support from the Ethereum ecosystem.
Task List
Test Deployment
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:test-deployment - owner: Ekaterina
- status: on-hold
- start-date: 2025/05/01
- end-date: 2025/06/30
Description
This task is on hold until the next quarter q4-2025. It’ll be done after consensus integration, as well as cutting off unnecessary web functionality that complicates testing.
Set up test deployment for the de-MLS repository.
Deliverables
A PR to the de-MLS repository with
- Docker configurations for deployment and testing.
- Documentation for test deployment setup.
Blogpost de-mls over Waku
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:blogpost-de-mls-over-waku - owner: Ekaterina
- status: started (85%)
- start-date: 2025/04/01
- end-date: 2025/05/30
Description
Writing a blog post about implementation details of single admin de-MLS with Waku node as delivery service based on this PR
Deliverables
A blogpost to vac.dev/rlog/
Consensus RFC
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:consensus-rfc - owner: Ugur
- status: started (85%)
- start-date: 2025/04/01
- end-date: 2025/04/14
Description
This task entails delivering the decentralized consensus RFC which is fast and efficient for p2p networks.
Deliverables
A PR to vacp2p/rfc-index repo.
Update de-MLS RFC with multi admins
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:multi-admin-rfc - owner: Ugur
- status: started (20%)
- start-date: 2025/05/04
- end-date: 2025/05/26
Description
Update and reorganize the decetnralized MLS RFC with the single and multi admin options. This task also contains the integrating the consensus RFC.
Deliverables
- PR to vacp2p/rfc-index repo with related updates.
CI Setup
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:ci-setup - owner: Ekaterina
- status: cancelled
- start-date: 2025/06/01
- end-date: 2025/06/30
Description
At this stage it does not look possible to set up CI, perhaps we will return to this task in a slightly different form later on.
Set up continuous integration for the de-MLS repository, including automated testing and code validation.
Deliverables
A PR to the de-MLS repository with a new CI pipeline for the repository that includes the waku node.
Implement consesus layer
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:consensus-layer - owner: Ekaterina
- status: not started
- start-date: 2025/06/16
- end-date: 2025/06/30
Description
Implement a consensus mechanism for one admin based on RFC, i.e. in the end we want to see a separate module that will process all incoming proposals for group state changes and receive a commit message as an output.
Deliverables
- A PR to the de-MLS repository containing new consensus layer as separate module with tests.
Separate commit and proposal messages inside app
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:commit-and-proposal - owner: Ekaterina
- status: started (10%)
- start-date: 2025/05/05
- end-date: 2025/06/30
Description
Before integrating the consensus, it is necessary to split the process of applying new commits into the corresponding proposal and commits for applying the group state update.
Deliverables
- A PR to the de-MLS repository updating the API for separate commit and proposal messages.
Put all proposall message in one queue
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:global-message-queue - owner: Ekaterina
- status: on-hold
- start-date: 2025/05/19
- end-date: 2025/05/30
Description
This task is on hold until the next quarter q3-2025 as this task does not affect the functionality, but is an extension of it and is not yet urgent from the consensus point of view.
At the first stage of implementation we separated adding and messages to a group and deleting from a group into different threads, we need one message queue to work with consensus.
Deliverables
- A PR to the de-MLS repository containing update of message processing
Update frontend
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:frontend-updating - owner: Ekaterina
- status: started (5%)
- start-date: 2025/05/01
- end-date: 2025/06/30
Description
The current frontend is difficult to maintain and besides adding new functionality for testing now requires a lot of effort. In addition, communication via websockets needs to be reconsidered in terms of efficiency.
Deliverables
- A PR to the de-MLS repository containing new frontend.
Integrate wallet based registration
- fully qualified name:
vac:acz:ift:2025q2-de-mls-tesnet:wallet-based-register - owner: Ekaterina
- status: on-hold
- start-date: 2025/06/01
- end-date: 2025/06/30
Description
This task is on hold until the next quarter q3-2025 due to changing priorities and the unpredictable complexity of more relevant tasks.
For the first version de-mls used a mock version for online registration, now it makes sense to add wallet support for user authentication
Deliverables
- A PR to the de-MLS repository containing support of wallet as authentication part.