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