Routing Overlay

A routing overlay focuses on achieving high throughput, low latency, and fault-tolerance for dynamic or uncacheable data, like real-time web applications, streaming media, or interactive IoT signals. Instead of relying on the default "best-effort" underlay routes, a decentralized routing overlay empowers nodes to discover and select optimal paths.

Routing Layer Concepts

Peer Discovery & Path Selection

Nodes form a mesh, constantly measuring latency, bandwidth, and packet loss. This lets them pick routes that bypass congestion or failing links.

Multi-Hop Forwarding

Traffic can traverse multiple intermediate peers instead of a single, direct path—improving reliability in the face of underlay disruptions.

Performance-Based Routing

The overlay algorithm can adapt routes in real time, especially beneficial for latency sensitive applications such as live streams, VoIP, or gaming.

On-Chain Reputation

Nodes stake tokens for reputation based on ensuring reliability and optimal throughput. Those consistently providing stable, fast paths earn higher rewards, while outliers are penalized.

Layered Encryption

Even if application data is encrypted via HTTPS, the routing overlay can encrypt or obfuscate routing metadata—hiding IP addresses, routing decisions, and more.

Proof-of-Relay

A cryptographic mechanism to prove that a node truly forwarded data. For instance, random partial data checks or ephemeral tokens appended to packets confirm delivery.

Routing Layer Benefits

Improved Reliability

The overlay reroutes around underlay failures or congested links, reducing downtime and packet loss.

Global Reach

Bypasses artificial throttling or censorship by certain ISPs.

High-Performance Networking

Ideal for dynamic, real time web content and synchronous tasks that are becoming the norm.