Thread by @SoorajKSaju

With the release of the new node version 1.35.6.

#Cardano now supports Dynamic peer-to-peer (P2P) networking capability

This update brings a significant boost for the

Resilience & decentralization of #Cardano's networking layer

Why?

Let's dive in🧵👇

Decentralization is a core value driver for #Cardano

& there are 3 pillars to #Cardano's decentralization

• Networking

• Governance

• Block production

With this upgrade

#Cardano has now achieved complete decentralization of its networking layer

How? let's take a look👇

So what is a networking layer?

Cardano’s networking layer is a physical infrastructure,

that combines nodes and their interaction into a unified system

The network distributes information about transactions and block creation among all active nodes.

There are two types of nodes

• Core nodes

• & Relay nodes

Core nodes: responsible for producing blocks

Relay nodes: responsible for communicating with other relays in the network & broadcasting blocks

One or more relay nodes must accompany each core node

A set of mini-protocols enable communication between different nodes

A mini protocol is a defined modular building block of the network protocol

This modular structuring of the network

allows managing the overall complexity of the network design while ensuring flexibility

Each mini protocol implements a basic information exchange requirement, such as

Sharing blocks as needed

Informing peers of the latest block

A multiplexing layer acts as a central crossing between mini-protocols & the network channel

In this way,

the system validates and adds blocks to the chain and verifies transactions

Thus,

a distributed network of nodes must keep communication delays to a minimum,

and be resilient enough to cope with failures, capacity constraints, or hackers.

Cardano's networking layer was undergoing a constant evolution

From its initial federated structure--> which was centralized

↓

The hybrid model--> where nodes communicate via trusted relays or the community-managed tool "topology updater"

↓

The current Dynamic P2P model

So let's take a look at the Dynamic P2P network

The goal of a Dynamic P2P network is to

Enhance the flow of information between nodes

Remove the network’s reliance on centralized services like topology updater

And enable the further decentralization of the #Cardano network

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So let's dive into the technical details of the P2P functionality

#Cardano network uses the following components to enable a P2P networking

• Server

• P2P governor

• Connection manager

• Inbound protocol governor

Let's take a closer look at these components

1. P2P governor

Based on the relative activity and established connections

the peer nodes of #Cardano network could be classified as

• Hot peers

• Cold peers

• Warm peers

• Cold peers

These are the existing nodes without an established network connection

• Warm peers

These are the nodes with an established connection

Which is only used for network measurements without implementing any of the node-to-node mini-protocols

• Hot peers

These are the nodes that have a connection,

which is being used by all three node-to-node mini-protocols

The P2P connection should be managed based on the activity and established network connection

To ensure the best system performance of the #Cardano network

The P2P governor is responsible for peer connection management

Meaning,

The P2P governor defines

which peers are beneficial for connection purposes,

and which should be promoted or demoted between cold, warm, or hot sets

Let's take a look at the activities of the P2P governor

▪️Discovering cold peers using random gossip

▪️Promotion of cold peers to warm peers

▪️Demotion of warm peers to cold peers

▪️Promotion of warm peers to hot peers

▪️Demotion of hot peers to warm peers

Basically,

The P2P governor maintains the target number of cold, warm, and hot peers

This helps in building and maintaining a connectivity map of the entire network

This simplifies the process of connection between the peer nodes by handling them automatically

Now the second component!

2. Connection manager

The integration of the connection manager with the P2P governor enables bidirectional communication between peers

and also allows for enhanced node-to-node communication without affecting performance

3. Server

The server comprises two primary elements

The accept loop & also the inbound protocol governor

The accept loop allows for incoming connections

4. Inbound protocol governor

The inbound protocol governor is responsible for running and tracking the state of the inbound connection side.

This includes tracking the state of each remote peer (cold, warm, or hot)

and the state of each inbound mini-protocol

So let's take a look at how Dynamic P2P is different from the hybrid model

1. Dynamic P2P streamlines and refines static configurations

This enables SPOs to target dynamic but specific connection numbers (e.g., 20)

from thousands of available relays

Meaning,

It provides an automatic selection of new connections as existing ones go offline,

eliminating reliance on a static peer pool (as it is with the hybrid model)

and enhancing adaptability

2. P2P enables advanced setups for direct connections between SPOs

Suppose two SPOs want to link their relays, and both have two relays

They can create a peer group including each other's relays,

aiming for at least one active connection.

This eliminates the need for excess capacity

And still provides an automatic backup if a relay fails

In contrast,

static configurations (of the hybrid era) forced a choice between limited resilience with one listed relay

or wasted resources with both relays listed

3. P2P constantly & automatically refines peer selection to reduce overall network diffusion time

Meaning,

The system gauges how often peers first supply block headers that join the blockchain

This helps in identifying & periodically replacing nodes with higher-performing ones

Basically,

The Dynamic P2P allows for autonomous interconnection of SPO relays

by employing

self-discovery & optimization techniques

Which removes the need for

static configurations & manual SPO maintenance inherent in hybrid setups

Which in turn makes the network more performant

and resilient to node or routing failures

enhances the network's overall performance and fortifies its adaptability

in the face of alterations, such as node or routing malfunctions

After Dynamic P2P

#Cardano's networking layer will keep evolving

With eventual upgrades like Ouroborus Genesis & Peer sharing

enabling anyone to run a full node like Daedalus

To connect & contribute connect to a fully decentralized & self-organized network

like #Bitcoin

Here's a thread that will give you a peek into "Ouroborus Genesis"

an upcoming #Cardano upgrade

That will enable Dynamic participation for validator nodes in a decentralized environment

making #Cardano the first PoS #blockchain with this capability

https://twitter.com/842288538238484480/status/1623748877152034818

Tl;DR

Dynamic P2P is a key evolution of #Cardano's networking layer

That

• Automates peer selection
• Removes manual SPO input
• Eliminates static configurations
• Enhances node communication

and

• Boosts Performance, Resilience & Decentralization of #Cardano

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