mirror of
https://github.com/corda/corda.git
synced 2024-12-26 16:11:12 +00:00
54 lines
2.5 KiB
ReStructuredText
54 lines
2.5 KiB
ReStructuredText
The network
|
|
===========
|
|
|
|
.. topic:: Summary
|
|
|
|
* *A Corda network is made up of nodes running Corda and CorDapps*
|
|
* *The network is permissioned, with access controlled by a doorman*
|
|
* *Communication between nodes is point-to-point, instead of relying on global broadcasts*
|
|
|
|
Network structure
|
|
-----------------
|
|
A Corda network is an authenticated peer-to-peer network of nodes, where each node is a JVM run-time environment
|
|
hosting Corda services and executing applications known as *CorDapps*.
|
|
|
|
All communication between nodes is direct, with TLS-encrypted messages sent over AMQP/1.0. This means that data is
|
|
shared only on a need-to-know basis; in Corda, there are **no global broadcasts**.
|
|
|
|
Each network has a **network map service** that publishes the IP addresses through which every node on the network can
|
|
be reached, along with the identity certificates of those nodes and the services they provide.
|
|
|
|
The doorman
|
|
-----------
|
|
Corda networks are semi-private. Each network has a doorman service that enforces rules regarding the information
|
|
that nodes must provide and the know-your-customer processes that they must complete before being admitted to the
|
|
network.
|
|
|
|
To join the network, a node must contact the doorman and provide the required information. If the doorman is
|
|
satisfied, the node will receive a root-authority-signed TLS certificate from the network's permissioning service.
|
|
This certificate certifies the node's identity when communicating with other participants on the network.
|
|
|
|
We can visualize a network as follows:
|
|
|
|
.. image:: resources/network.png
|
|
:scale: 25%
|
|
:align: center
|
|
|
|
Network services
|
|
----------------
|
|
Nodes can provide several types of services:
|
|
|
|
* One or more pluggable **notary services**. Notaries guarantee the uniqueness, and possibility the validity, of ledger
|
|
updates. Each notary service may be run on a single node, or across a cluster of nodes.
|
|
* Zero or more **oracle services**. An oracle is a well-known service that signs transactions if they state a fact and
|
|
that fact is considered to be true.
|
|
|
|
These components are illustrated in the following diagram:
|
|
|
|
.. image:: resources/cordaNetwork.png
|
|
:scale: 25%
|
|
:align: center
|
|
|
|
In this diagram, Corda infrastructure services are those upon which all participants depend, such as the network map
|
|
and notary services. Corda services may be deployed by participants, third parties or a central network operator
|
|
(such as R3). The diagram is not intended to imply that only a centralised model is supported. |