Router

Overview

Routers are geographically distributed hubs that connect all nodes to the network. Their primary function is to manage incoming and outgoing web requests to the validator. Routers are incentivized to operate and earn rewards as a proportion to the total validated bandwidth that is served through its relay. All traffic routed through its relay is encrypted and metered.

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Verification

The router is responsible for reporting the following metrics to validators in the network:

1. Length in bytes of each incoming and outgoing request

2. Latency from each node and latency from validator

3. Network status of each connected node

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Rewards

The rewards calculation for routers based on the described metrics:

• $R$ is the reward for a router

• $B$ is the total validated bandwidth served, which includes both incoming and outgoing request lengths in bytes.

• $L_n$ is the average latency from each node to the router.

• $L_v$ is the latency from the router to the validator.

• $S$ is the network reputation of each connected node

$$R = k_B \cdot B \cdot \left( 1 - \frac{k_L \cdot (L_n + L_v)}{L_{max}} \right) \cdot S$$

Where:

• $k_B$ is a coefficient determining the base reward per byte of validated bandwidth.

• $k_L$ is a coefficient to adjust the impact of latency on the rewards.

• $L_{max}$ is a normalization factor (maximum reasonable latency).

• $S$ directly multiplies the reward, adjusting it based on the quality of the network connection as assessed by the network.

This formula provides a structured approach to calculating router rewards, emphasizing the importance of served bandwidth while also considering the impact of latency and network quality. The specific values for $k_B$, $k_L$, and $L_{max}$ would need to be defined by the network.

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Security

To provide guarantees on network availability, routers are required to post a substantial economic stake as collateral. Routers are responsible for initial checks on each node to ensure network compliance and are required to maintain connectivity for greater than 75% (subject to change) of the total pool. Failure to provide a consistent pool of accessible nodes will reduce the efficacy of the network to collect data and will result in the potential slashing of staked assets.