Diode Network

Here is an introductory video on the network.

The Diode Network provides end-to-end encrypted communication, and related capabilities, to endpoints (see How to use below).

The Diode Network is an open protocol decentralized physical infrastructure (DePIN) network that is comprised of a diverse set of contributors who run a Diode Network Node. These contributors operate their node in keeping with the Diode Network Node License.

Relay Node operators trade the bandwidth they provide for DIODE tokens.

How to use the Network

You need to use a sponsored application to use the network. For example, Diode Collab (or Diode CLI) is an application, Diode is the Application Sponsor, and users of Diode Collab have device endpoints (e.g. their phone or laptop).

Anyone can build their own application that uses the network. Checkout the Diode CLI’s open source client software.

Read the docs on the network here.

Relay Nodes

Here is an high level video about relay nodes.

The Diode Network is made up of many DePIN nodes we call Relay Nodes. These nodes run the Diode Network Node software.

The requirements to host a Relay Nodes are:

  • Linux system (VM or box) - something as light as a Raspberry Pi or a $4 Digital Ocean VM will work to start out
  • A static IP address - if you don’t have a static IP address, the network will not be able to find your node reliably and you will be deprioritized for traffic routing

Relay Node security

The Diode Network uses 256 bit end-to-end encrypted communications that are “relayed” by Diode Network Relay Nodes to the desired destination.

The reasons why anyone can host a Relay Node without detracting from network security are two:

  • Both the network and the endpoints validate participants via access control lists stored in smart contracts. If any one of the participants or the node is dishonest, the blockchain-anchored data will expose it.
  • All communications are end to end encrypted using industry battle tested negotiation algorithms and encryption encapsulation. The network nodes have zero visibility into the communications.

Many organizations also opt to host their own Relay Node. In this way, they can take advantage of the global network addressing and routing, while directing their traffic to ultimately use their own Relay Node.

Relay Node Incentives

Most people will host a Relay Node to trade the bandwidth they supply for DIODE bandwidth tokens (see Application Sponsors below for more information).

However, some people will host a node to provide themselves, and their users, with their own Diode Network bandwidth - this can have the advantages of greater privacy and potentially lower cost.

Because all data touching a Relay Node is fully encrypted, a Relay Node will usually be considered an “Intermediary Internet Service” (AKA “Common Carrier”) and can be operated with the same legal standing as other similar infrastructure (for example, like infrastructure another Internet Service Provider operates).

Relay Nodes must abide by the Diode Network Node License.

Otherwise, the are no other contractual liabilities or warranties required from Relay Node operators.

Application Sponsors

Application Sponsors (AKA Fleet Contract Owners) stake DIODE tokens into a Fleet Contract that sponsors bandwidth for any endpoint listed in the Fleet Contract. When endpoint traffic is routed to a Relay Node, the Relay Node checks the sponsoring Fleet Contract to see how many DIODE tokens it will trade for bandwidth - if the Relay Node determines the trade is good enough, it will accept the traffic.

At the end of the month, 1% of the DIODE tokens staked are deducted from the Fleet Contracts by the Diode Network, and distributed to the Relay Nodes algorithmically based on each Relay Node’s contributions to bandwidth hosting for the Fleet Contract. The Fleet Contract LICENSE is the definitive description for how the Application Sponsor’s Fleet Contract stake is traded for bandwidth.