WendzelNNTPd

WendzelNNTPd is an easy to configure Usenet server (NNTP daemon). WendzelNNTPd breaks down complicated things into an easy-to-use configuration file and tool. The server is portable (Linux/*BSD/*nix), supports IPv4 and IPv6, AUTHINFO authentication, contains support for Access Control Lists (ACL), Role-based Access Control (RBAC) and supports invisible newsgroups. It currently supports MySQL and SQLite backends.

This server is tailored for workgroups, where users trust each other and where no synchronization with other usenet servers is necessary. For this reason, not all advanced NNTP features are included (e.g. commands for server synchronization). The server is also not a suitable for confidential environments as it lacks TLS support (under development, see below) and strong hardening.

Download

Source

• Linux/Unix/*BSD/POSIX: Latest stable release code (v. 2.1.3 -- tgz)

Packages & Executables

• Slackware Linux:
  • Slackware 14.2: Slackbuilds.org Build Script
  • Slackware64-current: Slackware package (v. 2.1.3 -- tgz)
    • Installation via installpkg (filename)
• NetBSD:
  • WendzelNNTPd port at pkgsrc: WendzelNNTPd-2.1.3
• Windows:
  • Legacy WendzelNNTPd 1.4.6 branch: WendzelNNTPd-1.4.6-Setup.exe

Why you want a Usenet server

Probably because you are into retro computing and already run a Gopher service! :) WendzelNNTPd is not tailored as a critical service, it is for nerds who like to play with the protocol and want to use it for fun! Also, feel invited to contribute your patches and extensions!

Read my blog posting on WendzelNNTPd.

Features

• Runs on Linux, OpenSolaris, *BSD
• Supports IPv6
• Conservative design philosophy:
  • Tiny (approx. 10,000 Lines of Code), to limit potential (security) flaws, including optional features that can be deactivated at compile time.
  • Do not implement unnecessary features.
  • Do not make things too complicated and check for compatibility with old newsreaders.
• Written in C
• Database abstraction layer (supports SQLite3 and MySQL)
• Supports NNTP authentication (AUTHINFO USER/PASS)
• Supports advanced Access Control Lists (ACL) and Role-based Access Control (RBAC)
• Automatically prevents double-postings
• Supports "invisible newsgroups"
• It is open + free software! :)

Features Under Development/Call for Testing

• The main branch currently provides experimental support for PostgreSQL backends, including the option to store postings in the database and eliminate the use of /var/spool/news (thx to Christian Barthel for the patch!).
• Two independent and experimental NNTPS/TLS branches are available for testing (thx to Mr. Dunsky and Mr. Grill!)

Website

https://cdpxe.github.io/WendzelNNTPd/

Forum for your Questions and Comments

https://sourceforge.net/p/wendzelnntpd/discussion/general/

Documentation

The documentation can be found here.