From 9b09f09892fc01893e9308da27f6ae23c85129af Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Christian Nennemann Date: Mon, 30 Mar 2026 23:30:00 +0200 Subject: [PATCH] docs: update status with mesh gap analysis findings Key insight: best-in-class crypto but unproven mesh efficiency. Priority actions: complete S4, measure MLS sizes, design MLS-Lite. --- docs/status.md | 28 ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 28 insertions(+) diff --git a/docs/status.md b/docs/status.md index 12b56d0..1a33fa0 100644 --- a/docs/status.md +++ b/docs/status.md @@ -1,5 +1,33 @@ # Status Log +## 2026-03-30 — Mesh Protocol Gap Analysis + +### Completed +- Created `docs/plans/mesh-protocol-gaps.md` — honest assessment of QuicProChat vs. Reticulum/Meshtastic/Briar +- Created `docs/src/design-rationale/mesh-protocol-comparison.md` — technical comparison document +- Updated `docs/positioning.md` — sharper messaging + honest limitations +- Identified critical gaps: + 1. **MLS overhead too large for LoRa** — KeyPackages are 500-800 bytes, SF12 MTU is 51 bytes + 2. **KeyPackage distribution unsolved** — MLS needs server, mesh has no server + 3. **No lightweight mode** — need "MLS-Lite" for constrained links + 4. **No real hardware testing** — all LoRa code runs against mocks + +### Key Insight +QuicProChat has **best-in-class crypto** but **unproven mesh efficiency**. Meshtastic and Reticulum have **weak crypto** but **battle-tested mesh**. We need to close the efficiency gap without sacrificing crypto properties. + +### Priority Actions +1. **S4: Multi-hop routing** — complete core mesh (in progress) +2. **Measure actual sizes** — benchmark MLS KeyPackage, Welcome, Commit sizes +3. **Design MLS-Lite** — lightweight symmetric mode for constrained links +4. **Real hardware test** — procure SX1262 boards, test actual LoRa + +### Open Design Questions +- How to distribute KeyPackages over mesh without server? +- What's the right crypto/efficiency tradeoff for SF12 LoRa? +- Should we implement LXMF compatibility for Reticulum interop? + +--- + ## 2026-03-30 — Sprint 6: LoRa transport & integration demo ### Completed