3.3.6 Static and Dynamic Topologies
Static topology has a pre-marked structure where clusters and vacant “cells” for new nodes are defined. Dynamic topology only defines the conditions for adding nodes, the fulfillment of which allows the node to join the cluster. Joining closed segments within the H-Net architecture requires confirmation of the certificate’s ledger by notaries. The main types of definitions for network architecture include:
SEED – the core of the main network that is launched during the first network initialization. These nodes differ by having public keys directly written in the configuration files (later loaded into the ledger). They form a network of trust and are the equivalent of genesis-structures in similar systems. The SEED structure is not required for the existence of the network after a certain time but is associated with the initial launch of the network.
PRIVATE SEGMENT – closed network segments allow nodes to connect based on a dedicated Node Cell, which is the specific cluster number and the number of nodes reserved for the specific node. When joining, the new node provides the details of a certificate it was previously issued, and based on that, its membership is confirmed in a particular cluster.
PUBLIC SEGMENT – joining the public segment (the only one within the network) requires an understanding of the gateway: a node with a certain IP and open ports that allows one to “find” the desired cluster and a specific cell. This can be done through off-line communication or through accessing SDN (special listings of gateways hosted in the cloud, such as Google Drive, which may list various gateways or other SDN files).
The figure below shows a general network diagram with indications for various segment types:
The dynamic nature of the network is also determined by the different choices of network ports, which can be changed dynamically and allow for rebuilding configuration on the go. The main dynamic support for DGT does not come from the GOSSIP protocol, but rather from the topological family of transactions. The joining of a node can also be determined by anchor mechanisms, such as the fulfillment of preconditions for payments or reservations of ETH in the Ethereum network.
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