Update (August 2023): Since writing this, similar projects have emerged, including Netbird.
What is it?
Artonet creates a virtual local network between your devices without obstructing internet access. All traffic between nodes is encrypted, and peers can communicate as if they're on the same local network.
Use cases: collaborative tech projects, gaming with friends, sharing self-hosted services without exposing public ports.
Key Features
- Built on WireGuard at the kernel level—faster than traditional VPN technologies
- Simple joining process: connect to the control server, provide credentials, done
- Supports local DHCP and DNS configuration per network on the control server
- Split tunneling: route all traffic through one node, or keep inter-node communication isolated
- No account system by default—users request access with a password or keyfile
- Built with Rust
Why Not Just Use Tailscale/Zerotier/Hamachi?
Tailscale is actually great—it combines WireGuard's speed with solid features. But it can get expensive for casual peer networks, and it relies on their infrastructure.
Zerotier and Hamachi use older VPN technology, aren't open source, and have various pricing and reliability issues.
Artonet's goal is simplicity, open-source availability, and intentional minimalism. Truly private, self-contained networks with no external authentication dependencies.
Research Areas
Building this properly requires going deep on three things:
- WireGuard Protocol — encryption, traffic routing, kernel space programming
- Routing — designing protocols that are stable, fast, and easy to set up
- OS-Level Implementation — cross-platform compatibility across different architectures