Self-Hosted SimpleX Chat

Introduction

This tutorial will guide you through the process of self-hosting SimpleX Chat, a secure messaging platform. By following these steps, you'll be able to build SimpleX from source, configure the necessary servers, and set up a WebRTC ICE relay server for improved connectivity. This setup is ideal for those looking to maintain their privacy and control over their communication tools.

Step 1: Building SimpleX From Source

1. Install Required Tools

   • Ensure you have Git and a suitable build environment set up on your Linux machine.
   • You may need additional dependencies, so check the SimpleX documentation for specifics.

2. Clone the SimpleX Repository

   • Open your terminal and run the following command:

     git clone https://github.com/simplex-chat/simplex-chat.git
     

   • Navigate into the cloned directory:

     cd simplex-chat
     

3. Build the Project

   • Use the provided build instructions in the repository to compile the application. This usually involves running:

     make
     

   • Follow any additional instructions in the README file for specific configurations.

Step 2: Configuring the SMP Server

1. SMP Server Setup

   • Refer to the SimpleX documentation on hosting your own SMP server.
   • Ensure you have a domain name and DNS setup ready for your server.

2. Configuration Steps

   • Edit the SMP server configuration file, usually located in the config directory.
   • Set the domain name and fully qualified domain name (FQDN):

     domain=yourdomain.com
     fqdn=chat.yourdomain.com
     

3. Start the SMP Server

   • Run the SMP server using the command:

     ./start_smp.sh
     

   • Monitor the output to ensure it starts correctly.

Step 3: Configuring the XFTP Server

1. XFTP Server Setup

   • Follow the instructions in the SimpleX documentation to host your own XFTP server.
   • Ensure it is configured to work with your SMP server.

2. Configuration Steps

   • Similar to the SMP server, edit the XFTP server configuration file.
   • Specify the necessary parameters like domain and ports.

3. Start the XFTP Server

   • Use the command:

     ./start_xftp.sh
     

   • Check for successful initialization in the terminal output.

Step 4: Setting Up the WebRTC ICE Relay Server

1. Understanding ICE Servers

   • ICE (Interactive Connectivity Establishment) helps with peer-to-peer connections in WebRTC applications.

2. Configuration of ICE Servers

   • Edit the configuration file for the WebRTC settings.
   • Include the necessary ICE server URLs. A common format looks like this:

     {
       "iceServers": [
         { "urls": "stun:stun.l.google.com:19302" },
         { "urls": "turn:your-turn-server:3478", "username": "user", "credential": "pass" }
       ]
     }
     

3. Start the WebRTC Server

   • Launch the server using the provided startup script:

     ./start_webrtc.sh
     

   • Ensure there are no errors during startup.

Conclusion

You've now successfully set up a self-hosted SimpleX Chat environment. You built the application from source, configured the SMP and XFTP servers, and established a WebRTC ICE relay server.

Next Steps

• Test your setup by connecting clients to your SimpleX Chat.
• Explore further customization options in the SimpleX documentation.
• Consider security measures like setting up a firewall or using tools like fail2ban to protect your servers.

By following these steps, you will have a fully functional and private chat platform tailored to your needs.