A Security-First, Hardware-Based Layer Zero Network
The Conduit Network represents a groundbreaking approach to decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN), offering a robust and secure foundation for the future of Web3 technologies.
At the heart of this innovative network lies its hardware nodes, which form the backbone of its secure and scalable architecture. This article delves into the intricacies of Conduit Network’s hardware nodes, exploring their types, trust levels, and the pivotal role they play in maintaining the network’s integrity and performance.
Types of Conduit Network Nodes
The Conduit Network employs two primary types of nodes:
- Core Security Nodes: These nodes are the guardians of the network, responsible for running all Core Services and maintaining the highest levels of security.
- Worker Nodes: These nodes are the workhorses of the network, running Smart Meters that measure and monitor the use, sale, or transfer of Resources.
Trust Levels: Ensuring Network Integrity
One of the most innovative aspects of the Conduit Network is its implementation of trust levels for hardware nodes. This tiered system ensures that different levels of security can be applied based on the specific needs of the network and its users. The four trust levels are:
1. Low Trust
- Appropriate for scenarios with virtually no value at risk
- Can be any hardware system connected to the internet
- Not officially offered or encouraged by the Conduit infrastructure Ecosystem
2. Standard Trust
- Suitable for low-value transactions or where potential economic loss is not significant
- Can be supplied by many commodity hardware providers
- Available pre-configured through the Conduit infrastructure Ecosystem
3. Enhanced Trust
- Strikes a balance between cost and security
- Available from vetted third-party manufacturers
- Can be purchased directly or pre-configured through the Conduit ecosystem
4. High Trust
- Designed for the most demanding trustless security environments
- Only available through licensed Syndicates within the Conduit infrastructure Ecosystem
- Requires rigorous supply chain auditing and provenance tracking
- Complies with FIPS 140-2 level 3 standards or higher
Core Security Nodes: The Sentinels of the Network
Core Security Nodes are the cornerstone of the Conduit Network’s security infrastructure. These nodes:
- Run exclusively on High Trust hardware
- Manage all Core Services of the network
- Handle critical functions such as accounting, data management, financial services, identity/security services, and resource management
- Process both economic and non-economic transactions
- Receive 10 basis points on the value of all transactions and 5% of the CROP (Cost Reduction from shared OPerations)
Core Security Nodes come in various processing capacities, determined by factors such as:
- Average number of economic transactions per minute
- Number of routine trading partners
- Frequency of access to managed Resources
- Desired cache size for remote Resources
Worker Nodes: The Engine of the Network
Worker Nodes are the connective tissue between the Conduit Service Layer and tangible resources. Key features include:
- Can operate at any of the four Trust Levels
- Run Smart Meters to measure changes in resources
- Can be joined to the network with a valid Conduit Node0 License
- Fully managed by the Conduit Network
- Earn compensation for fulfilling work measured by Smart Meters
Worker Nodes are classified by:
- The Smart Meters they run
- The Trust Level for which they qualify
The Conduit Core: A Triumvirate of Hardware
The Conduit Core is a bundle of three essential devices:
Connectivity Module
- Acts as the primary network connection device
- Functions as a full-fledged home or small office Wi-Fi router
- Serves as the bus controller for the Conduit Core module stack
- Features a visual display for reporting activities and metrics
Security Module
- Designed to solve physical device security challenges
- Manufactured using the most secure processes available
- Nearly impossible to tamper with without destroying the device
- The only High Trust device available at pre-sale
Compute Module
- Brings server-level computing power to a small form factor
- Suitable for home or office deployment
- Intended to operate as a Worker Node with a compute cloud Smart Meter
- Can be offered to the Conduit Cloud for lease or used directly by the owner
A New Era of Decentralized Infrastructure
The Conduit Network’s hardware nodes represent a significant leap forward in decentralized infrastructure technology. By implementing a tiered trust system and specialized hardware components, Conduit has created a robust, secure, and scalable network capable of supporting a wide range of applications in the Web3 ecosystem.As the network continues to evolve, these hardware nodes will play an increasingly critical role in shaping the future of decentralized technologies, providing the foundation for innovative applications and services that can revolutionize industries across the globe.
For developers, businesses, and individuals looking to leverage the power of decentralized infrastructure, understanding the intricacies of Conduit Network’s hardware nodes is essential. These nodes not only provide the backbone for secure and efficient operations but also open up new possibilities for creating and monetizing resources in the digital age.