Setting up an Onion Site on I2P

I2P, also known as the Invisible Internet Project, is an anonymous overlay network that allows for secure and private communication. While Tor is widely recognized for hosting onion services, I2P provides a similar functionality called “eepsites.” In this guide, we will walk you through the steps to set up an eepsite on I2P.

Step 1: Install and Configure I2P

• Download and install the I2P software from the official I2P website (https://geti2p.net/).
• Launch the I2P router application once the installation is complete.
• Follow the initial configuration steps, such as selecting the language and configuring network settings.

Step 2: Access the I2P Router Console

• Open a web browser and enter “http://localhost:7657” in the address bar.
• This will bring up the I2P router console, which provides a user interface to manage your I2P settings.

Step 3: Configure the Eepsite

• In the I2P router console, navigate to the “I2P Services” section.
• Click on “Hidden Services” to access the eepsite configuration options.
• Click on “Client Services” to configure the eepsite you want to set up.
• Enter a name for your eepsite in the “Destination” field. This will be the address for your site within the I2P network.
• Specify the port number for your eepsite in the “Port” field. Choose a port that is not already in use.
• Configure other settings like the tunnel length and bandwidth limits according to your preferences.
• Save the configuration changes.

Step 4: Start the Eepsite

• Once the eepsite configuration is saved, click on the “Start” button to launch the eepsite.
• The eepsite will start and become accessible within the I2P network.

Step 5: Access and Test the Eepsite

• In the I2P router console, go to the “I2P Network” section and click on “Peers” to see a list of connected peers.
• Locate your eepsite in the list and note down its address (ending with “.i2p”).
• Open a web browser and enter the eepsite address in the address bar, starting with “http://” or “https://”.
• If everything is set up correctly, you should be able to access and test your eepsite.

Step 6: Configure Additional Eepsite Settings (Optional)

• In the I2P router console, you can further customize your eepsite by modifying additional settings.
• You can adjust access controls, enable SSL/TLS encryption, and configure other security and privacy-related options.

Note: It’s important to understand that eepsites on I2P are part of a separate network from the Tor onion services. Users who are familiar with Tor’s hidden services should adapt to the specific configurations and settings of I2P’s eepsites.

Setting up an eepsite on I2P provides a way to host websites and services with increased anonymity and privacy. It allows users to access content within the I2P network while maintaining their confidentiality. By following the steps outlined in this guide, you can create your own eepsite and contribute to the decentralized and anonymous nature of the I2P network.