A new blockchain protocol using programmable packets to enhance security, privacy and net neutrality
A new blockchain protocol using programmable packets to enhance security, privacy and net neutrality. The Marconi protocol is designed down to the ethernet level and powers adecentralized networking stack that provides privacy, security, net neutrality and upgradability.
Marconi is a networking and blockchain protocol that allows smart contracts for network packets. The protocol has been designed down to layer 2 of the OSI model and works with wired and wireless standards. Contributions covered in this paper include systems and methods for processing network packets using smart contracts, forming secure mesh networks with decentralized traffic auditing and metering, programmatically jump starting branch chains connected to a global blockchain, virtualizing and binding OSI layer 2 connections, ranking peer nodes, and performing decentralized distributed network routing.
The first problem is that today’s network infrastructure is insecure. This is because it’s powered by Ethernet, a networking technology that has improved in terms of bandwidth but otherwise has gone relatively unchanged for the past 30 years. Ethernet was devised during an age unconcerned with privacy and security when the main focus was instead on connectivity, thus Ethernet has no encryption built into its design. This exposes raw network packets, allowing internet service providers and governments to easily monitor and surveil user activity.
The second problem is that core network infrastructure is inflexible and difficult to manage. The switches, routers, and bridges that form the network are hardware driven and expensive to buy, configure, and maintain. Adding network capacity or new functionality like intrusion detection and prevention systems or load balancing typically requires installing new network appliances. Even upgrading existing equipment can cost considerable overhead since updates may require firmware changes which in some cases must be done on-site.
The final problem is that current network infrastructure is centrally controlled. In any given region, a small number of entities often just one or two internet service providers serve as the gateway for all internet traffic. When the internet service provider suffers fiber cuts, equipment failure, or purposely interrupts service to perform maintenance, all users lose internet access. Businesses get hit especially hard as loss of internet can halt operations or productivity
Marconi, a protocol that enhances and can even replace existing network infrastructure, allowing any network to realize the full benefits of decentralization. Marconi is a networking and blockchain protocol designed down to OSI layer 2 that allows smart contracts for network packets. Marconi addresses the existing challenges by:
Ethernet-Level Encryption
Secure communication pipes established at Layer 2 of the OSI model provide packet-level encryption that’s more secure than just using SSL and TLS.
Programmable Packets
Decentralized apps with direct access to network packets provide network administration and security functionality without expensive custom hardware.
Branch Chains
Branchable blockchains enable the creation of new decentralized networks without traditional infrastructure that's controlled by just a few entities in any given region.
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