{session private messenger} how to host an open group
i will assume that you’re already a user of Session since you’re interested in hosting/creating your own open group chat.
but just in case your asking….what is Session?
straight from them:
“Session is an end-to-end encrypted messenger that minimises sensitive metadata, designed and built for people who want absolute privacy and freedom from any form of surveillance. Video Player is loading. This is a modal window. The media could not be loaded, either because the server or network failed or because the format is not supported”.
/step one
rent a virtual private server {VPS}.
there are many to choose from…just google it. for this tutorial i am using Linode.
smash that ‘Create Free Account’ or hit the smaller ‘Sign Up‘ button on the top right.
bang in your email, username and password >>> you will need to verify your email before you can continue.
once verified, the next step is setting up a payment option. you can’t continue until you have a card on your account. {read their terms and conditions but you shouldn’t be charged until you sent up your first server}.
once that is done you should get a pat on the back from Linode and then given the link to your dashboard or ‘Cloud Manager’.
now you can hit ‘Create Linode’ and start building out your server.
currently Session open groups only support Ubuntu 20.04 LTS so make sure you select that image > then choose what ever region or location you want > pick your ‘plan’ or performace (lowest spec is fine for this).
Ubuntu 20.0.04 LTS | Sydney, AU | $5 per month | 1 CPU | 1GB RAM
set your machine name and root password or generate ssh keys.
smash that ‘Create Linode’ button and now your starting to cook with smoke!
your server will start provisioning, booting and running. once you can see a ip address your set.
//step two
open a terminal window or command prompt.
ssh into your VPS by typing:
ssh root@{ip address} /// {e.g [email protected]}
you will be given a ECDSA key figerprint and asked if you want to continue connecting (yes/no/[fingerprint])? type yes. you will then beprompted for your password so enter it.
you should see [email protected]:~# on your command line. which means it is time for the copy and paste olympics! copy and paste the following into your terminal in this order:
sudo curl -so /etc/apt/trusted.gpg.d/oxen.gpg https://deb.oxen.io/pub.gpg
echo “deb https://deb.oxen.io $(lsb_release -sc) main” | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/oxen.list
sudo apt update
sudo apt install session-open-group-server
sudo chown _loki /var/lib/session-open-group-server -R
now you have the Session Open Group Server running on your VPS. next we will add your room/group name by entering this:
session-open-group-server –add-room {room_id} {room_name}
e.g. session-open-group-server –add-room groupchat digitalproj3cts. // note: the room_name (digitalproj3cts) is what the group title will be in the app.
next type or paste:
session-open-group-server –print-url
this will give you some like >> http://[host_name_or_ip/[room_id]?public_key=2054fa3271f27ec9e55492c85d022f9582cb4aa2f457e4b885147fb913b9c131
enter in your VPS IP address and room ID so it looks like this:
http://123.123.123.123/groupchat?public_key=2054fa3271f27ec9e55492c85d022f9582cb4aa2f457e4b885147fb913b9c131
and shit yeah…thats is your groups URL which anyone can add into the app to join.
it is recommended to make yourself a moderator before sharing your link to the internet.
in your terminal window enter:
session-open-group-server –add-moderator {your_session_id} {room_id}
for example:
session-open-group-server –add-moderator 05d871fc80ca007eed9b2f4df72853e2a2d5465a92fcb1889fb5c84aa2833b3b40 groupchat
from here you can add more moderators by entering command with their session id. you can also add a group image and you know…..moderate your group.
one resource i have found to advertise your new group is Session Groups hopefully more will start spinning up soon!
now you can do your thing……privately. #win
reference: Oxen Docs | Session | Session Groups | Linode