TOR Running a Relay

Running a Tor Relay (non-exit / exit)

This guide covers recommended configuration and operational notes for running a relay. Non-exit relays help the network without carrying exit traffic; exit relays require extra legal and abuse-handling considerations.

Minimal non-exit relay torrc

# network listener
ORPort 9001
# don't exit
ExitPolicy reject *:*

Nickname my-relay
ContactInfo ops@example.com
RelayBandwidthRate 5 MB
RelayBandwidthBurst 10 MB
Log notice file /var/log/tor/notices.log

Minimal exit relay torrc (example — adjust to your legal counsel)

ORPort 9001
# example: allow HTTP/HTTPS only
ExitPolicy accept *:80, accept *:443, reject *:*

Nickname my-exit
ContactInfo ops@example.com

Running as a service

  • Create a system user tor and place torrc under /etc/tor/torrc.
  • Start with sudo systemctl enable --now tor and monitor journalctl -u tor.

Monitoring and courtesy

  • Monitor bandwidth and CPU; tune RelayBandwidthRate to match your link.
  • Subscribe to tor-relays@lists.torproject.org and check the Tor Metrics/Atlas pages.
  • Consider posting an abuse contact and setting up an automated abuse response process.
me

My name is Adam Lichonvsky and I'm proud father and researcher.

         

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