Bootstrapping is the initial entry point of a [node](#node) to the [Waku Network](#waku). Once connected, other [peer discovery](#peer-discovery) methods can be employed to locate other [peers](#peer) in the network.
A content topic is a string attached to [messages](#waku-message) to enable [protocol-level](#protocol) features like selective message processing and retrieval based on specific criteria.
Dappnode is an open-source platform that simplifies the hosting and management of decentralised applications and blockchain nodes, including [Waku](#waku).
Discv5 is a [peer discovery](#peer-discovery) mechanism using a Distributed Hash Table (DHT) to store [ENR](#enr) records, providing censorship resistance, load distribution, and enhanced network resilience.
DNS discovery is a [peer discovery](#peer-discovery) mechanism that allows the retrieval of an [ENR](#enr) tree from the TXT field of a domain name, enabling the storage of [node](#node) connection details and promoting decentralisation.
Ethereum Node Record (ENR) is a specification used to represent and identify [nodes](#node), facilitating [discovery](#peer-discovery) and communication within the network. Besides connection details, `ENR` also includes node configuration information like enabled protocol and shards.
Filter is a [protocol](#protocol) that enables [light nodes](#light-node) to selectively subscribe to specific [messages](#waku-message) transmitted by [peers](#peer) using [content topics](#content-topic). It is designed to be a lightweight alternative for accessing the [Relay](#relay) network.
GossipSub is a [protocol](#protocol) for efficient and scalable information dissemination in decentralised networks commonly used in blockchain systems.
Libp2p is a modular network stack and protocol suite that allows developers to build decentralised, peer-to-peer applications across various network protocols.
Light push is a protocol enabling [light nodes](#light-node) to send [messages](#waku-message) to the [Relay](#relay) network and receive acknowledgements confirming that a [peer](#peer) has received them.
Mostly offline devices are clients who spend most of their time offline or disconnected from the internet and only occasionally to the internet and [Waku Network](#waku). Examples include browsers and mobile phones.
A node is a device or client that implements Waku [protocols](#protocol) and leverages the [Waku Network](#waku) to enable secure and private peer-to-peer web3 communication.
A node key is a [Secp256k1](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Secp256k1) (64-char hex string) private key for generating the [PeerID](#peer-id), [listening](#transport) addresses, and [discovery](#peer-discovery) addresses of a Waku node.
The payload field in a [Waku Message](#waku-message) contains the application data, serving as the business logic message transmitted between clients over Waku. Applications can encrypt the payload or employ encryption methods specified in [Waku Message Payload Encryption](#waku-message-payload-encryption).
Peer exchange is a [peer discovery](#peer-discovery) mechanism that enables [light nodes](#light-node) to request and receive peers from other nodes in the network, allowing them to bootstrap and expand their connections without depending on [Discv5](#discv5).
A protocol is a set of rules that enables [nodes](#node) within the [Waku Network](#waku) to perform various functionalities such as message sending, relaying, filtering, storing, retrieving, and more.
Publish/Subscribe (Pub/Sub) is an asynchronous messaging pattern where publishers send messages to topics, and subscribers receive messages from topics of interest, allowing efficient one-to-many communication.
A Pub/Sub topic is a string that serves as an identifier for the topic of interest among [GossipSub](#gossipsub) peers. Peers interested in the same topic are likely to maintain a connection and forward messages received on that topic.
Rate Limit Nullifiers (RLN) are a construct based on zero-knowledge proofs that enables rate limiting functionality while preserving the users's anonymity.
Relay is a [protocol](#protocol) that extends the [GossipSub protocol](#gossipsub) to enable secure and censorship resistant [message](#waku-message) sending and receiving among [peers](#peer) while preserving privacy. It also scales the [Waku Network](#waku) to accommodate many nodes efficiently.
RLN Relay is an extension of the [Relay protocol](#relay) that uses [Rate Limit Nullifiers (RLN)](#rate-limit-nullifiers) to prevent spam economically by enforcing a rate limit on messages over time, imposing penalties, and facilitating network removal for spammers.
Store is a [protocol](#protocol) that enables the storage of relayed [messages](#waku-message) in the network, allowing offline peers to retrieve missed messages upon reconnecting to the network.
A transport is a network mechanism that establishes connections between [peers](#peer) and enables efficient transmission, routing, and delivery of data packets.
Waku is a family of private, secure, decentralised, and peer-to-peer web3 communication [protocols](#protocol) designed to operate in [resource-limited](#resource-limited) environments and suitable for [node](#node) or desktop application use. Additionally, these protocols collectively form the Waku Network.
Waku Message defines the structure of messages in the [Waku Network](#waku), including the [content topic](#content-topic), [payload](#payload), and metadata for application-specific processing.
Waku Message Payload Encryption provides guidelines for implementing secure and private communication in the [Waku Network](#waku). It covers encryption, decryption, and signing methods for message [payloads](#payload), focusing on confidentiality, authenticity, integrity, and unlinkability.
Waku Noise is a specified way to use the [Noise Protocol Framework](http://noiseprotocol.org/) to build protocols that enable secure key-exchange mechanisms for encrypted communication with confidentiality, authenticity, integrity, strong forward secrecy, and identity-hiding properties.
