This is the web page for Serge, the Tor bridge directory server.

If Serge reached out and touched you, there's no need to fear. It's what a bridge directory server does when a bridge is submitted to the Tor network to confirm the bridge is reachable and prepare for its distribution to censored Tor users.

  • To learn more about the Tor Project

  • About Tor bridges

    Here's an example Tor bridge torrc on OpenBSD: 

    SocksPort 0					# don't listen locally for SOCKS connections
Log notice file /var/log/tor-notice.log		# path to the log file 
RunAsDaemon 1					#
DataDirectory /var/tor 				# the $TOR_DATA_DIR, usually some default on an operating system
						# on FreeBSD /var/db/tor
ORPort 9001 IPv4Only				# for a IPv4 bridge
Nickname your-freeform-bridge-name		# give it a name
RelayBandwidthRate 6000 KBytes			# bandwidth dedicated to the bridge
RelayBandwidthBurst 7000 KBytes			# and let it burst
User _tor					#
ExitPolicy reject *:*				# no network exit traffic
BridgeRelay 1					# designate it's a bridge
HeartbeatPeriod 1 hours				# give us an hourly status on the log file above, while the default is 6 hours
AvoidDiskWrites 1				# minimize writes to local disk
ContactInfo					# your contact email in case there are issues with your bridge configuration

    Important basic of running a Tor bridge and any other Tor server:

  • Tor devices of all types are internet-facing network servers. Treat them with care by locking down and updating installed applications and the operating system regularly.
  • Every Tor device should be dedicated as a Tor device, and should not be multi-functional.
  • Run the operating system you are most comfortable building, configuring and maintaining, not the "coolest" one you've heard of. We're huge fans of the *BSDs, but an operating systems' security is only as strong as the sysadmin building and maintaining the operating system.
  • Make sure you configure NTPD or a replacement. Serge can't accept bridges if the bridge's time is not reasonably accurate. Regular rdate or ntpdate resets isn't the right way to do it. ntpdate was deprecated a very long time ago.

    Huge thanks to all the Tor bridge operators of the world. Your role is vital to keeping the entire Tor network healthy and vibrant!