Barev: A Peer-to-Peer XMPP Protocol Built on Yggdrasil Network

In an era where centralized messaging platforms dominate, Barev presents an intriguing alternative by implementing XMPP-like features directly over the Yggdrasil Network. This protocol demonstrates how existing instant messaging standards can adapt to decentralized environments while maintaining familiar user experiences.

Technical Foundations

Barev's architecture rests on three pillars:

1. Yggdrasil Network Layer: Handles routing and end-to-end encryption automatically
2. XMPP-inspired Protocol: Implements message formats and behaviors familiar from standard chat systems
3. Plugin Implementation: Currently available as a Purple plugin for Pidgin

The protocol supports core messaging features including:

• Text communication with typing indicators
• Presence status updates (including DND mode)
• Avatar management
• File transfers through dedicated port ranges

Evolution from Bonjour Experiments

Developer Norayr's journey began with attempts to adapt Apple's Bonjour protocol over Yggdrasil, but encountered limitations:

1. MDNS dependency created network discovery challenges
2. Lack of status customization options
3. File transfer limitations due to local IP requirements

The pivot to XMPP standards provided a more flexible foundation while maintaining the decentralized vision. The current implementation demonstrates how protocol designers can:

• Adapt existing standards to new network architectures
• Maintain compatibility with familiar client software
• Implement security through explicit contact whitelisting

Security Model

Barev implements several protection layers:

1. Yggdrasil's Native Encryption: All traffic gets encrypted at the network layer
2. Contact Whitelisting: Only pre-approved nick@ipv6 combinations can communicate
3. Port Management: Dedicated ranges simplify firewall configuration

This creates a system where:

• Impersonation becomes virtually impossible
• Unsolicited contact gets blocked at the earliest possible stage
• File transfers occur through predictable ports

Implementation Details

The current ecosystem includes:

1. Pidgin Plugin: Main user-facing component
2. Pascal Libraries: Core protocol implementation
3. CLI Test Program: For development and debugging

Usage follows straightforward steps:

1. Build and install the plugin
2. Configure account with Yggdrasil IP
3. Manually add contacts as nick@ipv6 pairs

Future Considerations

While functional, several areas merit exploration:

• Discovery Mechanisms: Current manual IP entry limits scalability
• Mobile Support: Native clients beyond desktop plugins
• Standardization: Formalizing the protocol for wider adoption

Barev represents an important step in decentralized messaging, proving that familiar chat experiences can exist without central servers. Its evolution from Bonjour experiments to XMPP-inspired implementation offers valuable lessons for protocol designers working on peer-to-peer systems.

For developers interested in contributing, the project repository provides implementation details and build instructions.