4

For example, would it be more helpful to the network to setup one relay that had 4TB of bandwidth, or two relays that each had 2TB? Does the answer change depending on the amount of bandwidth each relay would have?

Improve this question

2 Answers 2

Reset to default
2

One relay is probably better, both for performance and anonymity (assuming the relays would run on the same machine).

Performance: There's no obvious performance gain by running two relays with half the bandwidth, since you should add the other relay to the MyFamily and thus only one relay would be used per circuit. Additionally, a second relay would add overhead and maintenance work.

Anonymity: By running more circuits over one relay, the individual circuits get a better anonymity as long as the relay isn't compromised (the same reason why being a relay improves the anonymity for your own browsing).

If you plan to run two relays in geographically seperate locations, that could be worth it, though.

Improve this answer
2
  • I wasn't planning on them being geographically separate, but they would be on different VPSs with the same host. Does that make any difference?
    – Ian Dunn
    Commented Mar 6, 2015 at 17:25
  • 2
    Afaik, the main advantages of running two geographically seperate relays would be to (1) spread the bandwidth availability better, so people around the globe get similar performance and (2) if your hosting company decides to hand access to the relay over to some 3rd party (gov. agency or the like) only half the bandwidth is compromised. By running both relays at the same place, these advantages are negated, so there's no reason to split, as long as one VPS is capable of handling the whole traffic.
    – BrokenPhysics
    Commented Mar 6, 2015 at 17:38
2

One relay with 4TB, with the relay using up the 4TB quota as fast as possible.

Faster relays are more attractive to traffic, so the network is better off if you move that 4TB in a week then hibernate for 3 weeks than if you throttled down the bandwidth to keep the relay active all month.

Plus, a single relay is easier to administer.

Improve this answer
1
  • That sort of answers a different (but related) question, though. What if both relays could have 25 TB, so that they could both be fast the entire month? Would it still be better to run one at 50 TB, or would two balance the traffic better?
    – Ian Dunn
    Commented Mar 5, 2015 at 16:46

You must log in to answer this question.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged .