2019 Q3 Hyperledger Aries
Projects
Language Libraries
Python SDK
JS SDK
Ruby SDK
Go Framework
.Net Framework
Client Tools
Aries Cloudagent Python
Aries Staticagent Python
Aries Protocol TestSuite
Shared Components
aries-sdk
Project Health
Aries is a new project, but with good roots in Indy. Some things have made the transition well (RFCs, Agent code), and some things have been more complicated than anticipated (relevant portions of indy-sdk).
The community is active, and we are actively filling in missing areas.
Issues
SDK Migration from Indy
The launch of project Aries is an important step in encouraging interoperability among the various agent implementations. Aries is now responsible for defining the communication between agents, and will provide language frameworks that people can use to implement agents that comply with Aries standards.
Progress made:
Hyperledger Aries as the new home for interoperable agent work.
Previous work in the Indy project has led to quick releases of some Aries components:
Aries Cloud Agent - Python,
Aries Static Agent - Python,
Aries Framework - Go,
and the Aries Protocol Test Suite.
Further remediation planned:
Continue standardizing agent communication protocols in the Hyperledger Aries Project.
Move the relevant parts of the Indy SDK to become an Aries library that is shared by the Aries language frameworks.
The remaining parts of the Indy SDK will evolve into a ledger resolver that matches the resolver API defined by Aries.
Maturing Support for Language Libraries
As language libraries develop, we need to establish guides and standards so that the library interfaces are consistent between languages.
Future work planned:
Schedule sdk and framework review during community meetings. This will raise awareness of progress as well as development and style decisions. As inconsistencies are identified, work to find common design and resolution.
Further work on Aries SDK to provide a more common foundation for language libraries.
Build Pipelines
We have not yet build any pipelines for the Aries assets. Part of the challenge here is the wide variety of languages and platforms being served.
Future work planned:
Choose initial projects for CI/CD pipelines.
Develop test pipelines for initial projects.
Releases
June 2019:
Aries Staticagent Python 0.2.0
Initial Release
July 2019:
Aries Cloudagent Python 0.2.0
Initial transfer of project to Hyperledger
Aries Staticagent Python 0.3.0
Improved Routing
Trust Contexts
Expanded Tests
August 2019:
Aries Cloudagent Python 0.3.1
Improved command line options
Support for Indy Transaction Author Agreements
Credential flow improvements
DID Based Invitations
Multi-use Invitations
Aries Staticagent Python 0.4.0
Switched libsodium libaries, easing installation
Improved Module Definitions
Overall Activity in the Past Quarter
General
Transition related Indy HIPEs to Aries RFCs
Established two regular community calls: one transitioned from Indy, a new alternate timezone call on a biweekly basis
Transferred codebases from BCGov and Streetcred
Aries SDK migration from Indy SDK
Significant area of focus
Dependant codebases are continuing with Indy SDK as a foundation, with plans to switch to Aries SDK as it matures.
Development of Protocol Test Suite
Current Plans
General
Credential Exchange Standards: We will finalize the current version of the Credential Exchange Standards and begin discussion on the next versions. This will allow a fixed target for development while removing the development stress from the standards discussions.
Agent Tools and Testing: The Aries Protocol Test Suite exists already, but with minimal support for the number of protocols currently in several of the adopted codebases. Expansion of these tests will facilitate interoperability between disparate projects.
Coordination with DIF Interop Project Efforts: The Decentralized Identity Foundation has begun a project that involves issuing credentials between various vendors. Aries will play the role of an Enterprise Agent and issuer of credentials.
Other features planned:
Open-source Mobile Agent
Desktop Agent testing and administration tools
Maintainer Diversity
The weekly Aries call has been maintenance focused, and we have not needed a separate call to coordinate maintenance issues. RFC status and progress is coordinated mostly via these calls and the #aries-maintainers channel on rocketchat.
Contributed codebases have remained the focus of the contributing team with initially few contributions from others in the community. We are working to expand contributions by regularly reviewing project progress and status and inviting others to join efforts as maintainers.
Contributor Diversity
In addition to the weekly call that transitioned from the Indy Agent working group, we have added a bi-weekly US Morning call in order to better serve our European contributors. This has been well attended and will continue.
POCs, Pilots, Projects
Initial projects include:
BCGov
Additional Information
Key channels on Rocket Chat: #aries, #aries-sdk, #aries-maintainers
Join the Aries Mailing List: https://lists.hyperledger.org/g/aries
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