docs.waku.org/docs/learn/concepts/network-domains.md

---
title: Network Domains
hide_table_of_contents: true
displayed_sidebar: learn
---

Waku is a unified and cohesive entity that offers a rich ecosystem with three distinct network interaction domains. These domains serve specialised purposes and contribute to the robust functionality of Waku, forming its foundation.

## Discovery domain

Peer discovery in Waku facilitates locating other nodes within the network. As a modular protocol, Waku incorporates various discovery mechanisms, such as [Discv5](/learn/concepts/discv5) and [Peer Exchange](/learn/concepts/peer-exchange). These mechanisms allow developers to choose the most suitable option(s) for their specific use cases and user environments, including mobile phones, desktop browsers, servers, and more.

## Gossip domain

GossipSub derives its name from the practice within Pub/Sub networks where peers gossip about the messages they have encountered, thus establishing a message delivery network.

Waku employs gossiping through [Relay](/learn/concepts/protocols#relay) to distribute messages across the network. Additionally, Waku introduces [RLN Relay](/learn/concepts/protocols#rln-relay), an experimental mechanism that combines privacy preservation and economic spam protection.

## Request/response domain

Waku provides a set of protocols to optimise its performance in resource-limited environments like low bandwidth or mostly offline scenarios for multiple purposes.

- [Store](/learn/concepts/protocols#store) enables the retrieval of historical messages.
- [Filter](/learn/concepts/protocols#filter) efficiently retrieves a subset of messages to conserve bandwidth.
- [Light Push](/learn/concepts/protocols#light-push) facilitates message publication for nodes with limited bandwidth and short connection windows.

## Overview of protocol interaction

Here is a diagram illustrating the interaction between different protocols within the Waku Network.

```mdx-code-block
import ProtocolInteraction from "@site/diagrams/_protocol-interaction.md";

<ProtocolInteraction />
```
docs restructure (#140) 2023-11-23 12:01:32 +01:00			`---`
			`title: Network Domains`
			`hide_table_of_contents: true`
Re-organise the docs to have clear CTAs (#251) * Split website in 4: - build - run node - learn - research * only show pages of section in sidebar * home button on each sidebar * index.md for homepages * Add video tutorials * delete old getting-started * rename to "Waku node" * fix nwaku compose * add to dict * script revert research changes * fix broken links * move research index content * move research folder under learn * move research folder under learn: side bar and buttons * remove pointless links 2025-10-03 15:54:25 +10:00			`displayed_sidebar: learn`
docs restructure (#140) 2023-11-23 12:01:32 +01:00			`---`

			`Waku is a unified and cohesive entity that offers a rich ecosystem with three distinct network interaction domains. These domains serve specialised purposes and contribute to the robust functionality of Waku, forming its foundation.`

			`## Discovery domain`

			`Peer discovery in Waku facilitates locating other nodes within the network. As a modular protocol, Waku incorporates various discovery mechanisms, such as [Discv5](/learn/concepts/discv5) and [Peer Exchange](/learn/concepts/peer-exchange). These mechanisms allow developers to choose the most suitable option(s) for their specific use cases and user environments, including mobile phones, desktop browsers, servers, and more.`

			`## Gossip domain`

			`GossipSub derives its name from the practice within Pub/Sub networks where peers gossip about the messages they have encountered, thus establishing a message delivery network.`

			`Waku employs gossiping through [Relay](/learn/concepts/protocols#relay) to distribute messages across the network. Additionally, Waku introduces [RLN Relay](/learn/concepts/protocols#rln-relay), an experimental mechanism that combines privacy preservation and economic spam protection.`

			`## Request/response domain`

			`Waku provides a set of protocols to optimise its performance in resource-limited environments like low bandwidth or mostly offline scenarios for multiple purposes.`

			`- [Store](/learn/concepts/protocols#store) enables the retrieval of historical messages.`
			`- [Filter](/learn/concepts/protocols#filter) efficiently retrieves a subset of messages to conserve bandwidth.`
			`- [Light Push](/learn/concepts/protocols#light-push) facilitates message publication for nodes with limited bandwidth and short connection windows.`

			`## Overview of protocol interaction`

			`Here is a diagram illustrating the interaction between different protocols within the Waku Network.`

			```mdx-code-block
			`import ProtocolInteraction from "@site/diagrams/_protocol-interaction.md";`

			`<ProtocolInteraction />`
			```