Protocol details

As we standardize the neuropil protocol, we plan to publish updates and changes on the following pages.

• Protocol token
  • Token in general
  • Protocol token format
  • Handshaking token
  • Join token
  • Message intent token
  • PKI / Web of trust / zero knowledge setups
  • The missing accounting tokens
  • Conclusion
• Protocol Messages
  • 1024 byte structure of neuropil messages
  • Node to node encryption details
  • End to end encryption details
  • Key exchange and messages
  • Message encryption
  • Protocol messages and signed / crypted content details
    • 1. Handshake message
    • 2. Pure node to node messages (join, leave)
    • 3. Pure node to node messages (ping, piggy, …)
    • 4. forward modified node to node messages (update, …)
    • 5. Forward unmodified/discovery messages
    • 6. End-to-end encrypted messages
  • Message serialization format
  • Message parts details
    • Message header contents
    • Message instructions contents
    • Message mac/nonce details
• Protocol steps
  • Step 1: handshake and Diffie-Hellman (DH) key exchange
  • Step 2: joining the network
  • Step 3: growing the peer-to-peer network
  • Step 4: message exchange: communicating message availability and interest
    • Step 4a: Virtual MX: communicating intent, attributes and availability only
    • Step 4b: Public MX: open communication channels for groups
    • Step 4c: Protected MX: communicating channel for mutual partners
    • Step 4d: Private MX: untraceable data channels with better access control