HTLC Endorsement for Jamming Mitigation



Summary:

The Lightning-dev mailing list, hosted by the Linux Foundation, is a platform for discussing and developing the Lightning Network. The network is a second-layer solution built on top of the Bitcoin blockchain that aims to improve its scalability and transaction speed. The Lightning-dev mailing list provides a forum for developers and enthusiasts to share their ideas and collaborate on projects related to Lightning.The discussion on the mailing list is about whether reputation systems can provide security guarantees or just probabilistic judgments about future behavior. While reputation data can be better than nothing, it is susceptible to sudden behavioral changes and whitewashing attacks, making it unreliable for providing guarantees. However, in the most basic case of deciding on a potential channel counterparty, choosing one that has demonstrated competence and reliability over a number of years is better than choosing one who has just joined the network and is unknown.The issue of where reputation systems sit on the software stack and how they are implemented is also discussed, with the suggestion that they should not be a protocol or P2P gossiping issue but rather a separate API or plugin. Many users may choose not to participate in such services due to privacy concerns.In terms of reputation schemes for mitigating channel jamming, the proposal is for each node to locally track the reputation of its direct neighbors and allocate slots and liquidity based on their risk tolerance. Endorsed HTLCs from high reputation peers will be given priority, while unknown HTLCs will only be forwarded if there are slots and liquidity available. Reputation and endorsement form the first step in a two-part scheme for mitigating channel jamming, with unconditional fees for quick jams being the second step. Data gathering is also considered valuable for future simulation work and experimentation with different algorithms for tracking local reputation.Overall, the discussion concludes that while there are interesting projects, services, or even businesses in the area of reputation, it is not a protocol/P2P gossiping issue or a "core" of a Lightning node issue. The Lightning-dev mailing list is an important resource for those involved in the development and implementation of Lightning technology. It provides a space for open communication and collaboration, helping to drive innovation and progress in the field. To join the mailing list, users can visit the website https://lists.linuxfoundation.org/mailman/listinfo/lightning-dev and sign up with their email address. Once subscribed, they will receive regular updates and notifications about new posts and discussions on the list.


Updated on: 2023-06-03T12:50:22.740228+00:00