Since the last blog update in May we have published new test networks that are helping us to evaluate much of our recent development work. If you recall, we made several changes to be able to accommodate mobile devices as network clients. These changes included the addition of the Authenticator (a secure access mechanism that is bundled with the SAFE browser) and a new network data type — mutable data — as well as a significant number of changes within the APIs.

Test 17

The current network, test 17, was introduced initially to a small number of forum users, but has since been scaled out in order to accommodate more users. Updated mid July (13th) and re released based on initial feedback (and barring a few minor bugs), test 17 has behaved as anticipated and we’re very encouraged by its stability. We intend to keep a test network in place from now on to enable app developers to develop against this network, rather than resorting to running apps locally.

Forum member Zoki has put together a couple of videos which he has posted on YouTube that demonstrate the use of the Authenticator and the Web Hosting Manager, as well as viewing a few SAFE websites along the way. The Authenticator enables users to create their own network credentials without the involvement of third parties and provides access to the test network.

DNS, but not as we know it

The Web Hosting Manager facilitates users creating their own public ID and service that they can then upload content to and publish for other network users to view. This feature demonstrates a differing approach to the Domain Name Service (DNS) used on the existing Internet that is managed by several DNS providers, such as Dyn and Verisign. Within the SAFE Network, this Decentralised Naming Service, enables web site owners to create their own domain without the involvement and cost of third parties and enables instant publishing of data.

If you are a SAFE Network forum member of trust level 1 and higher, you will be able to participate in this test and play about with these demo apps for yourself, and the following thread contains links to many of the websites published by other forum members.

SAFE email client

The second video produced by Zoki demonstrates the Email application, which is an end to end encrypted messaging app that uses the public key of the recipient to encrypt the message, ensuring that only the recipient can read its contents. Currently using nodes managed by MaidSafe in test 17, SAFE email in future alphas will be decentralised, ensuring that no central entity can view or control access to your communications.

It is important to note that these example applications are intended as tutorials which demonstrate the features of the network while guiding application developers to create more fully featured and polished apps with the SAFE Browser DOM APIs.

Data Chains

What we currently have in test 17 is likely to not have too many more changes before we move to alpha 2. As mentioned above, we are very encouraged with the stability of this network. In tandem with much of the work above the team has been working on a feature called Data Chains. You may remember from our previous blog post that this is a feature we anticipate will ultimately enable the secure republishing of data should the network ever lose power, as well as providing validation that data has been stored on the network. The team has considered multiple implementation options, and subject to simulation tests, has agreed an approach and have started the implementation. Testing of this new Routing design is likely to be incorporated within alpha 3. For plans beyond this, please refer to our roadmap.

Recruitment

For those who regularly go on our forums you will notice an increasing number of new team members. Recruitment continues to receive significant focus as we scale the team to increase the speed and quality of the network roll out while also spreading the load more evenly across the team. As such, we have brought on board some operations staff at our HQ in Scotland and continue to grow the team overseas, who are currently based anywhere from Australia to Argentina!

We now have 23 people working with the company, but we are still looking for Network Engineers. If you are proficient in Rust, or have experience with C or C++ and have experience within P2P architectures, please visit our careers page for more details on how to apply.

Well, that concludes this update, we really appreciate the continued support of everyone in the SAFE community (investors, testers, forum members). As you know we are doing everything possible to expedite the network rollout and giving you the privacy, security and freedom you all so richly deserve.