--- title: Glossary --- # Waku Docs Glossary Definitions and usage of the terminology used in the Waku ecosystem. ### Bootstrapping Bootstrapping is the initial [peer discovery](#peer-discovery) process where new [nodes](#node) on the network locate and establish connections with one another. ### Content Topic 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 Dappnode is an open-source platform that simplifies the hosting and management of decentralized applications and blockchain nodes, including [Waku](#waku). ### Discv5 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 DNS discovery is a [peer discovery](#peer-discovery) mechanism that allows the registration of an [ENR](#enr) tree in the TXT field of a domain name, enabling the storage of [node](#node) connection details and promoting decentralization. ### ENR Ethereum Node Record (ENR) is a specification used to represent and identify [nodes](#node), facilitating [discovery](#peer-discovery) and communication within the network. ### Filter 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). ### GossipSub Gossipsub is a [protocol](#protocol) for efficient and scalable information dissemination in decentralized networks commonly used in blockchain systems. ### Light Node A light node is a [resource-limited](#resource-limited) device or client that selectively subscribes to specific [messages](#waku-message) transmitted by other [peers](#peer) on the network. ### Light Push Light push is a protocol enabling [light nodes](#light-node) to send [messages](#waku-message) to the [Relay](#relay) network and receive acknowledgments confirming that a [peer](#peer) has received them. ### Node A node is a device or client that plays an active role in the operation of the [Waku network](#waku), participating to enable secure and private peer-to-peer Web3 communication. ### Noise Noise is the integration of the Noise Protocol Framework into the [Waku network](#waku) to enable secure key-exchange mechanisms for encrypted communication with confidentiality, authenticity, integrity, strong forward secrecy, and identity-hiding properties. ### Payload Payload provides guidelines for implementing secure and private communication in the network. It covers encryption, decryption, and signing methods for message payloads, focusing on confidentiality, authenticity, integrity, and unlinkability. ### Peer A peer refers to other [nodes](#node) and participants of the [Waku network](#waku) with whom communication and interaction are possible. ### Peer Discovery Peer discovery is the process where a [node](#node) locates and connects with [peers](#peer) to establish communication and exchange information. ### Peer Exchange 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). ### Protocol 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. ### Pub/Sub Publish/Subscribe (Pub/Sub) is a messaging pattern where publishers distribute messages to subscribers without the direct knowledge of recipients, allowing efficient one-to-many communication. ### Pub/Sub Topic A Pub/Sub topic serves as a routing mechanism for messages, with the default topic indicating a subscription to receive messages on that topic for relay purposes. ### Rate Limit Nullifiers Rate Limit Nullifiers (RLN) are a construct based on zero-knowledge proofs that provide an anonymous rate-limited messaging framework, preserving message owner anonymity while preventing spam or DoS attacks. ### Relay Relay is a [protocol](#protocol) that extends the [GossipSub protocol](#gossipsub) to enable secure and censorship-resistant [message](#waku-message) dissemination among [peers](#peer) while preserving privacy. ### Resource-Limited Resource-limited refers to environments or devices restricting available resources, including bandwidth, CPU, memory, disk, and battery power. ### RLN Relay 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 bandwidth caps, imposing penalties, and facilitating network removal for spammers. ### SDK SDKs are tools, libraries, and resources to integrate Waku's private, secure, and censorship-free communication features into various applications. ### Store 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. ### Transport A transport is a network mechanism that establishes connections between [peers](#peer) and enables efficient transmission, routing, and delivery of data packets. ### Waku Waku is a family of private, secure, decentralized, 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. ### Waku Message 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.