The Next Level of Decentralized Systems Security: Muon Cluster Nodes

An innovative concept designed to further strengthen the security of our node network, supporting a strong network around the globe.

Introducing an innovation in decentralized network security structures, cluster nodes mark the next level of the Muon core development. By delegating and decentralizing network accountability — we will be creating a more robust system that is prepared to function effectively on a global scale.

Cluster Nodes: Security Through Accountability

Every transaction performed on the Muon network is verified by the network’s nodes. This ensures the integrity of all transactions on the network, verifying that the data is true and proper. As well as providing incentives for node owners, it is also important to deter malicious actors. Cluster nodes enforce the accountability of node operators by divulging responsibility, in essence decentralizing management of node behaviour into these smaller clusters.

What does that mean for security? Cluster nodes greatly lower the available attack vectors, because in order to take control over the network a malicious actor has to overcome whole clusters (which is another level beyond just picking off individual nodes). In effect, this makes it near to impossible for the Muon network to be overtaken by an attacker.

The success of the cluster nodes boils down to two key features:

1. Group Accountability

The crucial element to cluster nodes is adding group accountability. The nodes of the Muon network are grouped together into separate clusters, wherein that entire cluster is liable for the actions of every individual node in the group. So should one node owner act maliciously, their entire cluster will be penalized (by ‘slashing’ their collateral). This introduces a much greater incentive for the cluster to be accountable for the actions of its members, as well as being more careful about its admission processes.

2. Custom Entry Requirements

The second important feature of cluster nodes involves having custom entry requirements. In order for each cluster to have greater control over the members allowed in, each cluster can set their own custom eligibility criteria for member entry.

Examples for potential requirements (set by individual clusters):

• Collateral provided ($MUON staked)
• Node security level
• Geographical distribution
• Node outage protection
• Member KYC

“Cluster nodes are simply a hierarchical structure. What we’re doing is decentralizing the security of the nodes by introducing group dynamics. If you have a group, and you hold the whole group accountable, that whole group will take care that all of its members act honestly.” — Lafayette, Muon co-founder

The Progress of Nodes in the Muon Network

Cluster nodes remain in development, as part of a progressive upgrade to the core network. Muon’s development includes a five-stage roadmap of node scaling and decentralization:

v1 — Prototype

v2 — Developer Nodes

v3 — Partner Nodes (Current)

v4 — Public Nodes

v5 — Cluster Nodes

Currently the network is in its v3 stage, with nodes run privately by the Muon team as well as close partners. At the time of writing 20 global nodes are live on Muon (run by the Muon team and its partners). We are steadily moving towards public nodes in v4 (with the first ‘Muon Cluster’), followed by the full introduction of public node clusters in v5.

Node owners are incentivized to verify and sign data, and will be rewarded in $MUON tokens as reward for doing so. However, just as signing correct data is rewarded, attempts to sign inaccurate data results in punishment, which is the reason node owners require a $MUON stake in order to operate. This stake acts as the form of collateral node owners supply in order to ensure their compliance to the integrity of the network.

Public nodes will begin with a single ‘Muon Cluster’ in v4, with entry requirements (a $MUON stake) set by the Muon team. Then in v5 cluster ‘slots’ will become available (similar to how Polkadot give away parachain slots) for multiple clusters to take form. The strength of this system will come from having a wide number and variety of clusters, that combined together form a highly diversified and decentralized network of security.

Muon is not only supporting partner projects with decentralized solutions, but also aiming to be the most secure & decentralized node network of its kind. Cluster node groups represent the next level phase in network decentralization, positioning the network to be utilized and secured on a global scale.

Muon Network

Muon is a decentralized node network enabling applications to run on-chain, off-chain & cross-chain. Its technology allows for projects to build customizable web3 solutions that enable possibilities beyond the existing constraints of blockchain.

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