How to Run and Configure a Skip Graph Node

In order to configure a skip graph node, a file named config.yaml must be prepared by providing the necessary information for a skip graph node to function. The required parameters are:

• The Underlay Protocol to be used.
• Port
• Introducer Address
• Membership Vector Assignment Protocol
• Membership Vector value if Assignment Protocol is self-assgined
• Identifier Assignment Protocol
• Identifier value if Assignment Protocol is self-assigned
• Storage Path

After the configuration file is ready, the skip graph node can be run by running the executable provided with the project.

How to Interact with Skip Graph Node

After setting up a Skip Graph process in the network and having it running, the user can interact with the Skip Graph Node in an online manner. While the Node is running, options for possible queries will appear to the user. These options are:

Search by Identifier

After the user picks this option, the interactor API prompts the user to provide the target identifier to conduct the search. Then, the query is executed from the designated skip node as the source of the query, and finally, it prints to the user the information of the node returned as the result of the query.

Search by Membership Vector (aka Search by Name ID)

After the user picks this option, the interactor API prompts the user to privde the target membership vector to conduct the search, which can be either a binary string, or a hexadecimal number denoting the bytes of the membership vector. Then, the query is executed from th desginated skip node as the source of the query, and finally, it prints to the user the information of the node returned as the result of the query.

How to Develop and Deploy Customized Underlay Protocols

In order to create a customized underlay that can be placed in use for the Skip Graph, a class that extends Underlay must be implemented. More specifically, the functions initUnderlay(), sendMessage(), and terminate() should be implemented specific to the customized underlay.

initUnderaly(port)

Initializes the underlay

sendMessage(address, port, requestType, requestParameters)

Sends a request through the network and awaits the result to be returned.

terminate()

Shuts Down the underlay.