mirror of
https://mau.dev/maunium/synapse.git
synced 2024-12-16 07:43:53 +01:00
250 lines
11 KiB
ReStructuredText
250 lines
11 KiB
ReStructuredText
=========================================================================
|
|
Synapse |support| |development| |documentation| |license| |pypi| |python|
|
|
=========================================================================
|
|
|
|
Synapse is an open-source `Matrix <https://matrix.org/>`_ homeserver written and
|
|
maintained by the Matrix.org Foundation. We began rapid development in 2014,
|
|
reaching v1.0.0 in 2019. Development on Synapse and the Matrix protocol itself continues
|
|
in earnest today.
|
|
|
|
Briefly, Matrix is an open standard for communications on the internet, supporting
|
|
federation, encryption and VoIP. Matrix.org has more to say about the `goals of the
|
|
Matrix project <https://matrix.org/docs/guides/introduction>`_, and the `formal specification
|
|
<https://spec.matrix.org/>`_ describes the technical details.
|
|
|
|
.. contents::
|
|
|
|
Installing and configuration
|
|
============================
|
|
|
|
The Synapse documentation describes `how to install Synapse <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/setup/installation.html>`_. We recommend using
|
|
`Docker images <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/setup/installation.html#docker-images-and-ansible-playbooks>`_ or `Debian packages from Matrix.org
|
|
<https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/setup/installation.html#matrixorg-packages>`_.
|
|
|
|
.. _federation:
|
|
|
|
Synapse has a variety of `config options
|
|
<https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/usage/configuration/config_documentation.html>`_
|
|
which can be used to customise its behaviour after installation.
|
|
There are additional details on how to `configure Synapse for federation here
|
|
<https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/federate.html>`_.
|
|
|
|
.. _reverse-proxy:
|
|
|
|
Using a reverse proxy with Synapse
|
|
----------------------------------
|
|
|
|
It is recommended to put a reverse proxy such as
|
|
`nginx <https://nginx.org/en/docs/http/ngx_http_proxy_module.html>`_,
|
|
`Apache <https://httpd.apache.org/docs/current/mod/mod_proxy_http.html>`_,
|
|
`Caddy <https://caddyserver.com/docs/quick-starts/reverse-proxy>`_,
|
|
`HAProxy <https://www.haproxy.org/>`_ or
|
|
`relayd <https://man.openbsd.org/relayd.8>`_ in front of Synapse. One advantage of
|
|
doing so is that it means that you can expose the default https port (443) to
|
|
Matrix clients without needing to run Synapse with root privileges.
|
|
For information on configuring one, see `the reverse proxy docs
|
|
<https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/reverse_proxy.html>`_.
|
|
|
|
Upgrading an existing Synapse
|
|
-----------------------------
|
|
|
|
The instructions for upgrading Synapse are in `the upgrade notes`_.
|
|
Please check these instructions as upgrading may require extra steps for some
|
|
versions of Synapse.
|
|
|
|
.. _the upgrade notes: https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/develop/upgrade.html
|
|
|
|
|
|
Platform dependencies
|
|
---------------------
|
|
|
|
Synapse uses a number of platform dependencies such as Python and PostgreSQL,
|
|
and aims to follow supported upstream versions. See the
|
|
`deprecation policy <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/deprecation_policy.html>`_
|
|
for more details.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Security note
|
|
-------------
|
|
|
|
Matrix serves raw, user-supplied data in some APIs -- specifically the `content
|
|
repository endpoints`_.
|
|
|
|
.. _content repository endpoints: https://matrix.org/docs/spec/client_server/latest.html#get-matrix-media-r0-download-servername-mediaid
|
|
|
|
Whilst we make a reasonable effort to mitigate against XSS attacks (for
|
|
instance, by using `CSP`_), a Matrix homeserver should not be hosted on a
|
|
domain hosting other web applications. This especially applies to sharing
|
|
the domain with Matrix web clients and other sensitive applications like
|
|
webmail. See
|
|
https://developer.github.com/changes/2014-04-25-user-content-security for more
|
|
information.
|
|
|
|
.. _CSP: https://github.com/matrix-org/synapse/pull/1021
|
|
|
|
Ideally, the homeserver should not simply be on a different subdomain, but on
|
|
a completely different `registered domain`_ (also known as top-level site or
|
|
eTLD+1). This is because `some attacks`_ are still possible as long as the two
|
|
applications share the same registered domain.
|
|
|
|
.. _registered domain: https://tools.ietf.org/html/draft-ietf-httpbis-rfc6265bis-03#section-2.3
|
|
|
|
.. _some attacks: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Session_fixation#Attacks_using_cross-subdomain_cookie
|
|
|
|
To illustrate this with an example, if your Element Web or other sensitive web
|
|
application is hosted on ``A.example1.com``, you should ideally host Synapse on
|
|
``example2.com``. Some amount of protection is offered by hosting on
|
|
``B.example1.com`` instead, so this is also acceptable in some scenarios.
|
|
However, you should *not* host your Synapse on ``A.example1.com``.
|
|
|
|
Note that all of the above refers exclusively to the domain used in Synapse's
|
|
``public_baseurl`` setting. In particular, it has no bearing on the domain
|
|
mentioned in MXIDs hosted on that server.
|
|
|
|
Following this advice ensures that even if an XSS is found in Synapse, the
|
|
impact to other applications will be minimal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Testing a new installation
|
|
==========================
|
|
|
|
The easiest way to try out your new Synapse installation is by connecting to it
|
|
from a web client.
|
|
|
|
Unless you are running a test instance of Synapse on your local machine, in
|
|
general, you will need to enable TLS support before you can successfully
|
|
connect from a client: see
|
|
`TLS certificates <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/setup/installation.html#tls-certificates>`_.
|
|
|
|
An easy way to get started is to login or register via Element at
|
|
https://app.element.io/#/login or https://app.element.io/#/register respectively.
|
|
You will need to change the server you are logging into from ``matrix.org``
|
|
and instead specify a Homeserver URL of ``https://<server_name>:8448``
|
|
(or just ``https://<server_name>`` if you are using a reverse proxy).
|
|
If you prefer to use another client, refer to our
|
|
`client breakdown <https://matrix.org/docs/projects/clients-matrix>`_.
|
|
|
|
If all goes well you should at least be able to log in, create a room, and
|
|
start sending messages.
|
|
|
|
.. _`client-user-reg`:
|
|
|
|
Registering a new user from a client
|
|
------------------------------------
|
|
|
|
By default, registration of new users via Matrix clients is disabled. To enable
|
|
it:
|
|
|
|
1. In the
|
|
`registration config section <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/usage/configuration/config_documentation.html#registration>`_
|
|
set ``enable_registration: true`` in ``homeserver.yaml``.
|
|
2. Then **either**:
|
|
|
|
a. set up a `CAPTCHA <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/CAPTCHA_SETUP.html>`_, or
|
|
b. set ``enable_registration_without_verification: true`` in ``homeserver.yaml``.
|
|
|
|
We **strongly** recommend using a CAPTCHA, particularly if your homeserver is exposed to
|
|
the public internet. Without it, anyone can freely register accounts on your homeserver.
|
|
This can be exploited by attackers to create spambots targetting the rest of the Matrix
|
|
federation.
|
|
|
|
Your new user name will be formed partly from the ``server_name``, and partly
|
|
from a localpart you specify when you create the account. Your name will take
|
|
the form of::
|
|
|
|
@localpart:my.domain.name
|
|
|
|
(pronounced "at localpart on my dot domain dot name").
|
|
|
|
As when logging in, you will need to specify a "Custom server". Specify your
|
|
desired ``localpart`` in the 'User name' box.
|
|
|
|
Troubleshooting and support
|
|
===========================
|
|
|
|
The `Admin FAQ <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/usage/administration/admin_faq.html>`_
|
|
includes tips on dealing with some common problems. For more details, see
|
|
`Synapse's wider documentation <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/>`_.
|
|
|
|
For additional support installing or managing Synapse, please ask in the community
|
|
support room |room|_ (from a matrix.org account if necessary). We do not use GitHub
|
|
issues for support requests, only for bug reports and feature requests.
|
|
|
|
.. |room| replace:: ``#synapse:matrix.org``
|
|
.. _room: https://matrix.to/#/#synapse:matrix.org
|
|
|
|
.. |docs| replace:: ``docs``
|
|
.. _docs: docs
|
|
|
|
Identity Servers
|
|
================
|
|
|
|
Identity servers have the job of mapping email addresses and other 3rd Party
|
|
IDs (3PIDs) to Matrix user IDs, as well as verifying the ownership of 3PIDs
|
|
before creating that mapping.
|
|
|
|
**They are not where accounts or credentials are stored - these live on home
|
|
servers. Identity Servers are just for mapping 3rd party IDs to matrix IDs.**
|
|
|
|
This process is very security-sensitive, as there is obvious risk of spam if it
|
|
is too easy to sign up for Matrix accounts or harvest 3PID data. In the longer
|
|
term, we hope to create a decentralised system to manage it (`matrix-doc #712
|
|
<https://github.com/matrix-org/matrix-doc/issues/712>`_), but in the meantime,
|
|
the role of managing trusted identity in the Matrix ecosystem is farmed out to
|
|
a cluster of known trusted ecosystem partners, who run 'Matrix Identity
|
|
Servers' such as `Sydent <https://github.com/matrix-org/sydent>`_, whose role
|
|
is purely to authenticate and track 3PID logins and publish end-user public
|
|
keys.
|
|
|
|
You can host your own copy of Sydent, but this will prevent you reaching other
|
|
users in the Matrix ecosystem via their email address, and prevent them finding
|
|
you. We therefore recommend that you use one of the centralised identity servers
|
|
at ``https://matrix.org`` or ``https://vector.im`` for now.
|
|
|
|
To reiterate: the Identity server will only be used if you choose to associate
|
|
an email address with your account, or send an invite to another user via their
|
|
email address.
|
|
|
|
|
|
Development
|
|
===========
|
|
|
|
We welcome contributions to Synapse from the community!
|
|
The best place to get started is our
|
|
`guide for contributors <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/development/contributing_guide.html>`_.
|
|
This is part of our larger `documentation <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest>`_, which includes
|
|
|
|
information for Synapse developers as well as Synapse administrators.
|
|
Developers might be particularly interested in:
|
|
|
|
* `Synapse's database schema <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/development/database_schema.html>`_,
|
|
* `notes on Synapse's implementation details <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/development/internal_documentation/index.html>`_, and
|
|
* `how we use git <https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/development/git.html>`_.
|
|
|
|
Alongside all that, join our developer community on Matrix:
|
|
`#synapse-dev:matrix.org <https://matrix.to/#/#synapse-dev:matrix.org>`_, featuring real humans!
|
|
|
|
|
|
.. |support| image:: https://img.shields.io/matrix/synapse:matrix.org?label=support&logo=matrix
|
|
:alt: (get support on #synapse:matrix.org)
|
|
:target: https://matrix.to/#/#synapse:matrix.org
|
|
|
|
.. |development| image:: https://img.shields.io/matrix/synapse-dev:matrix.org?label=development&logo=matrix
|
|
:alt: (discuss development on #synapse-dev:matrix.org)
|
|
:target: https://matrix.to/#/#synapse-dev:matrix.org
|
|
|
|
.. |documentation| image:: https://img.shields.io/badge/documentation-%E2%9C%93-success
|
|
:alt: (Rendered documentation on GitHub Pages)
|
|
:target: https://matrix-org.github.io/synapse/latest/
|
|
|
|
.. |license| image:: https://img.shields.io/github/license/matrix-org/synapse
|
|
:alt: (check license in LICENSE file)
|
|
:target: LICENSE
|
|
|
|
.. |pypi| image:: https://img.shields.io/pypi/v/matrix-synapse
|
|
:alt: (latest version released on PyPi)
|
|
:target: https://pypi.org/project/matrix-synapse
|
|
|
|
.. |python| image:: https://img.shields.io/pypi/pyversions/matrix-synapse
|
|
:alt: (supported python versions)
|
|
:target: https://pypi.org/project/matrix-synapse
|