[acqq]

> Riot is based on the so-called Matrix protocol which is a federated protocol

> In addition, people are writing alternative clients to access the Matrix/Riot network, implementing their favorite features and workflows. As users can vote with their feet for their own interests and choose providers and apps of their liking

Can I run my own network which is not part of other networks (i.e. not "federated")? Can I tell somebody "call with your Riot client 'acqq at server ip nnnnnn' and we can talk"?

[mxuribe]

There are 2 "ways" to do this:

1. You and your friend both use the riot (actually matrix.org) server/network and you both choose any matrix-relevant client (doesn't even have to be the riot client), but only make use of private rooms on that server. This avoids any system setup overhead whatsoever...But the private room(s) that you create would still on a server that is not controlled by you.

2. You can of course setup and run your own little private network; on your own domain name/IP address. This is what I do with my family; and only my wife, and daughter have access (I've even disabled registration). I have not yet connected my little network to the greater matrix network...For 2 reasons: I wanted to beta test this internally so I could leearn; Also, i wanted to be sure my family does not get exposed to any spam (if there is any that is).

Good luck; cheers!

[Perceptes]

The Ruma homeserver implementation is specifically supporting this use case. The federation system will run as a separate application alongside the client-server API, so if you don't want to federate with other homeservers, you just don't run the federation component. https://www.ruma.io/

[no_protocol]

Yes, I set up my own Synapse server and connected to it from the official Riot app on phone and web. Worked fine. Also connected with another Matrix client and that also worked.

[NoGravitas]

I believe so, yes. If not with the standard homeserver (synapse), than with a custom homeserver.

[acqq]

Note: my question is, with a plain client, downloadable from the app store, not with some special custom build of the client.

Also, how puringpanda's question fits to your claim?

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=13239925

[NoGravitas]

You can connect to any homeserver with the default client; it's not tied to the default homeserver.

If I understand puringpanda's question, the idea is that your domain and your homeserver are seized, but you have contacts on other homeservers. At this point, it's just like losing your email server. You lose your existing ID, and probably your message history, but you can reach your contacts from a new ID you create someplace else.