1/ TxTenna, an application of mesh networking with Bitcoin transactions, is on the horizon thanks to @SamouraiWallet and @gotenna. This is super exciting. But what does it mean exactly?
An intro to mesh networks and goTenna:
An intro to mesh networks and goTenna:
2/ To understand mesh networks, let's first break down how they differ from typical network architectures. Your everyday devices (phones, computers, routers, etc) are commonly setup under a hub and spoke architecture.
3/ The name effectively reveals what that means: the nodes on the network (spokes) are all connected to a single center (hub). This ‘hub’ serves as the access point through which all devices on the network connect to all other devices. 
4/ In a mesh network, the architecture is not as clearly defined. Nodes are peers, which means there is no special base station node. Data can be forwarded via a chain of peer nodes as long as each node is within range of the preceding node.
5/ These nodes can take many forms including wireless routers, cell phones, and radios. They just need to be able to send and receive data. GoTenna Mesh’s hardware is a 1-watt UHF radio.
6/ To send and receive data across the mesh network, nodes determine optimal routes through the network’s routing protocol. These protocols automatically reconfigure the network based on the environment and presence of relay nodes. More nodes = more paths = stronger network.
7/ Gotenna’s mesh networking protocol, Aspen Grove, starts w initial discovery. A user sends a message out in all directions w the intention of finding the Intended Recipient. If the IR isn't in range, a burst broadcast goes to all devices in range, asking for IR's whereabouts.
8/ "Once a relaying goTenna Mesh confirms that it can reach the IR, the path to the IR will be defined and remembered, so messages between the original sender and the IR will follow the same path.”
9/ “What about privacy? If a message is going through multiple users, what stops a relaying user from capturing that transmission?" When a data packet is sent, it is sent to a specific destination. Only the IR holds the key to decrypting the transmission. Relayers don't.
10/ So what does this mean for Bitcoin? This means that existing network infrastructure does not need to be in place for nodes to interact. TxTenna will enable off-grid broadcasts of signed Bitcoin transactions from @SamouraiWallet. This is huge.
11/ Mesh networks can host their own servers so their users can communicate and exchange info across the mesh network itself without being connected to the larger internet. This helps with local censorship, privacy, and security.
13/ How does an offline transaction work with TxTenna? “When goTenna Mesh pairs w your phone, @SamouraiWallet will generate a prompt to use TxTenna. The transaction will broadcast over the network until it reaches an online TxTenna user, up to 3 hops away."
14/ "Through the online TxTenna user, transactions are confirmed on the Bitcoin blockchain and a private confirmation message is relayed back to the original TxTenna user.”
15/ Long story short: you don't need the internet to use Bitcoin.
16/
Watch the live demo here:
Buy a gotenna mesh with this promo code here (cc @matt_odell):
More on txtenna: txtenna.com
More on gotenna: anytimeanywhere.gotenna.com/2016/10/10/got…
More on mesh networks: bwn.ece.gatech.edu/surveys/mesh.p…
Watch the live demo here:
Buy a gotenna mesh with this promo code here (cc @matt_odell):
More on txtenna: txtenna.com
More on gotenna: anytimeanywhere.gotenna.com/2016/10/10/got…
More on mesh networks: bwn.ece.gatech.edu/surveys/mesh.p…
