A bootstrapping node, also known as a rendezvous host,
is a
node
In general, a node is a localized swelling (a "knot") or a point of intersection (a vertex).
Node may refer to:
In mathematics
* Vertex (graph theory), a vertex in a mathematical graph
*Vertex (geometry), a point where two or more curves, lines ...
in an
overlay network that provides initial configuration information to newly joining nodes so that they may successfully join the overlay network.
Bootstrapping nodes are predominantly found in
decentralized peer-to-peer
Peer-to-peer (P2P) computing or networking is a distributed application architecture that partitions tasks or workloads between peers. Peers are equally privileged, equipotent participants in the network, forming a peer-to-peer network of Node ...
(P2P) networks because of the dynamically changing identities and configurations of member nodes in these networks.
Overview
When attempting to join a P2P network, specific discovery or membership protocols (or other configuration information) may be required, and, if a newly joining node is unaware of these protocols, the newly established joining node will not be able to communicate with other nodes and ultimately join the network.
Furthermore, these protocols and configuration requirements may dynamically change as the infrastructure and membership of the P2P network evolves.
Therefore, there is a need to be able to dynamically inform a newly joining node of the required protocols and configurations.
Identifying a bootstrapping node
Several methods may be used by a joining node to identify bootstrapping nodes:
* A joining node may have been pre-configured with the
static addresses of the bootstrapping nodes.
In such a case, the bootstrapping node addresses cannot change, and therefore should be
fault-tolerant members of the network, which are not able to leave the network.
* Alternatively, the bootstrap node can be identified via a
DNS service, where a
domain name resolves to one of the bootstrapping nodes' addresses.
This allows the bootstrapping nodes' addresses to change as needed.
Configuration information provided
The objective of the bootstrapping node is to provide newly joining nodes with sufficient configuration information so that the new node may then successfully join the network and access resources, such as shared content.
Discovery protocol information can instruct the new node how to discover peers on the network.
Membership protocol information can instruct the new node how to request-to-join and subsequently join peer groups on the network.
Other configuration information, such as
overlay network dependent instructions, may be provided.
An example of overlay dependent instructions is instructing a new node how to obtain a zone of a
CAN.
Further configuration information may be designed for P2P network admission control, used when joining a network that supports trust management, and include such things as
encryption
In Cryptography law, cryptography, encryption (more specifically, Code, encoding) is the process of transforming information in a way that, ideally, only authorized parties can decode. This process converts the original representation of the inf ...
/
signature
A signature (; from , "to sign") is a depiction of someone's name, nickname, or even a simple "X" or other mark that a person writes on documents as a proof of identity and intent. Signatures are often, but not always, Handwriting, handwritt ...
protocols or admission policies.
Networks that use bootstrapping nodes
*
Distributed hash tables
**
CAN
**
Chord
**
IPFS
**
Kademlia
Kademlia is a distributed hash table for decentralized peer-to-peer computer networks designed by Petar Maymounkov and David Mazières in 2002. It specifies the structure of the network and the exchange of information through node (networking), no ...
**
Pastry
Pastry refers to a variety of Dough, doughs (often enriched with fat or eggs), as well as the sweet and savoury Baking, baked goods made from them. The dough may be accordingly called pastry dough for clarity. Sweetened pastries are often descr ...
**
Tapestry
*
Cryptocurrency
A cryptocurrency (colloquially crypto) is a digital currency designed to work through a computer network that is not reliant on any central authority, such as a government or bank, to uphold or maintain it.
Individual coin ownership record ...
**
Bitcoin
Bitcoin (abbreviation: BTC; Currency symbol, sign: ₿) is the first Decentralized application, decentralized cryptocurrency. Based on a free-market ideology, bitcoin was invented in 2008 when an unknown entity published a white paper under ...
**
Ethereum
**
Litecoin
References
See also
*
Bootstrapping
*
Network topology
{{DEFAULTSORT:Bootstrapping Node
Network service
Distributed data storage
Peer-to-peer computing