2023-05-29 11:32:29 +01:00

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Glossary

Waku Docs Glossary

Definitions and usage of the terminology used in the Waku ecosystem.

Bootstrapping

Bootstrapping is the process where a Waku node discovers and connects with other peers in the network.

Content Topic

A content topic is a string attached to messages to enable protocol-level 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.

Discv5

Discv5 is a peer discovery mechanism using a Distributed Hash Table (DHT) to store ENR records, providing censorship resistance, load distribution, and enhanced network resilience.

DNS Discovery

DNS discovery is a peer discovery mechanism that allows the registration of an ENR tree in the TXT field of a domain name, enabling the storage of node connection details and promoting decentralization.

ENR

Ethereum Node Record (ENR) is a specification used to represent and identify nodes, facilitating discovery and communication within the network.

Filter

Filter is a protocol that enables light nodes to selectively subscribe to specific messages transmitted by peers using content topics.

GossipSub

Gossipsub is a protocol for efficient and scalable information dissemination in decentralized networks commonly used in blockchain systems.

Light Node

A light node is a resource-limited device or client that selectively subscribes to specific messages transmitted by other peers on the network.

Light Push

Light push is a protocol enabling light nodes to send messages to the network and receive acknowledgments confirming that a peer has received them.

Node

A node is a device or client that plays an active role in the operation of the Waku network, 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 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 and participants of the Waku network with whom communication and interaction are possible.

Peer Discovery

Peer discovery (also known as bootstrapping) is the process where a node locates and connects with other peers to establish communication and exchange information.

Peer Exchange

Peer exchange is a peer discovery mechanism that enables light nodes to request and receive peers from other nodes in the network, allowing them to bootstrap and expand their connections without depending on Discv5.

Protocol

A protocol is a set of rules that enables nodes within the Waku network 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 DDoS attacks.

Relay

Relay is a protocol that extends the GossipSub protocol to enable secure and censorship-resistant message dissemination among peers 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 that uses Rate Limit Nullifiers (RLN) 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 that enables the storage of relayed messages 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 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 designed to operate in resource-limited environments and suitable for node or desktop application use.

Waku Message

Waku Message defines the structure of messages in the Waku network, including the content topic, payload, and metadata for application-specific processing.