Network Architecture

Mass Mesh is building a distributed, peer-to-peer network. All of our mesh nodes contribute to the health of their neighborhood network by relaying traffic and/or providing public access to the network.

Networks -- The Basics

Everything we use on the Internet exists in a network. In fact, everything connected to the Internet probably exists in 'many' networks simultaneously. In general, a networked computer is connected to at least two networks: LAN and WAN. For instance, when you connect to a Chromecast in your living room, you connect your phone to the Chromecast over LAN. The Chromecast in turn streams content by accessing a content provider's servers (like Netflix) over WAN.

Note: A network can be a LAN and a WAN at the same time for different machines. If this is a little confusing, don't worry! The distinction will make sense as you continue reading.

Neighborhood Networks

Neighborhood networks are a network of mesh nodes that form a LAN that spans the whole neighborhood. In a neighborhood network, every node can talk to each-other using a network protocol. The protocol that we use to connect our mesh nodes is called Yggdrasil.

To join your neighborhood network, or to start a neighborhood network by becoming the first mesh node host in your area, please visit the Node Setup page.

The Global Yggdrasil Network

Yggdrasil has many unique properties. One is that Yggdrasil nodes can mesh with one another 'over traditional Internet infrastructure.' This means that if you plug your mesh node into a cable modem that has service, you can mesh with anyone else connected in a similar fashion. The importance of this cannot be over-stated. Firstly, this means that all your communication with those nodes is encrypted. Secondly, this means that you can access or host in-mesh services that are accessible to people all over the world before our physical network grows to cover it.

For a list of public services on the Yggdrasil network, please visit their website.(If you are not running Yggdrasil on your computer or accessing the Internet through an Yggdrasil node, you will not be able to access any of these services.)

Connecting To The Internet Through Yggdrasil

When you join a Neighborhood Network, all of your out-bound (non-mesh) traffic is tunneled through a VPN by default. While this doesn't necessarily mean that you will enjoy immunity from DMCA, (i.e. still use protection when torrenting!) it does mean that your identity will be slightly more obscured to advertisers, etc. The "VPN Provider" in the diagram on the left is known as a "Gateway Operator" on our network.