What is Reticulum?

Networking software that connects devices directly, over Wi-Fi, Ethernet, radio or the internet, with no central provider. Devices have addresses that belong to them, not to a place or an internet connection.

What is Permanet?

Permanet is an installer and guides that set up Reticulum and its apps for beginners, plus a community network to join. It is not made by the people who make Reticulum.

Does it cost anything?

No. The software is free and open source.

Do I need the internet?

Only to download the installer. After that your computer talks to devices on your local network, with no internet. Going online is optional.

Do I need a radio?

No. Radios are for reaching people beyond your local network without the internet.

Can I use it on Windows, a Mac or a phone?

On a Mac, yes: see Install on macOS. Windows is not supported yet. On Android there are separate apps.

Is it anonymous?

Other people on Reticulum cannot see your internet address, but that does not make you invisible. The name you pick is public, and your internet provider may be able to tell that you use I2P. Privacy explains what others can and cannot learn.

Why only I2P for going online?

A normal internet connection between nodes shows each node the other’s internet address. I2P hides it. That is why the guides tell you not to add public “TCP” servers in MeshChatX.

Can other people read my messages?

Messages sent with MeshChatX are encrypted from your computer to the other person’s. Computers that pass them along cannot read them.

Is it safe to paste a command into my terminal?

Only paste commands from people you trust. This one shows you a plan before it changes anything, and it does not use sudo unless the plan says so. If you prefer, download the files and read them first. The source code is public.

What should I answer to “Carry traffic for other people’s devices?”

No for a laptop or a computer that is not always on. Yes only for a computer that stays on. It helps the network, and your computer cannot read what it passes on.

What if I lose my identity?

It cannot be recovered, and your address goes with it. You would start again with a new one. See Privacy for how to keep a backup.

How do I remove it?

Run permanet-rns --uninstall. See Uninstall.

Something does not work

Start with Troubleshooting.