Cosmos is currently the leading project in the Internet of Blockchain segment, it also has a specialized design to connect and build a large Layer 1 ecosystem. Cosmos Network is a Blockchain ecosystem designed to connect different Blockchains.
Cosmos is made up of many components such as Tendermint Core, Cosmos SDK, IBC,… And especially Cosmos Hub, in this article we will explore in detail Hub and Zone, which are two of the main components. in Cosmos.
So what are Hubs and Zones? What’s the difference between Hub and Zone? Let’s find out in this article!
To understand more about Cosmos, you can read the following articles:
- What is Inter Blockchain Communication (IBC)? Cosmos’s Core Power
- What is Internet of Blockchain? Advantages and Disadvantages of Internet of Blockchain
- What is Cosmos (ATOM)? Cosmos Cryptocurrency Overview
What Are Hubs and Zones?
What is Hub?
Hub on Cosmos is part of the Cosmos Network architecture, where blockchains are linked together through an intermediary layer called Cosmos Hub. Cosmos Hub is a Blockchain capable of connecting other dApps and Blockchains together, allowing communication and information exchange between different Blockchains in the Cosmos network.
Cosmos Hub is a Blockchain created by Cosmos Network or we can say Cosmos Hub is the first Hub on Cosmos. It is used to connect other Blockchains together and allow them to communicate and exchange information with each other. Cosmos Hub also functions to ensure the safety and reliability of inter-Blockchain transactions.
On the Cosmos network, there is currently only one Hub, the Cosmos Hub. Cosmos Hub is the center of the Cosmos network and is where other Zones on the network connect to exchange information and value. However, there may be additional Hubs on the network in the future if there is a need to expand and grow.
What is Zone?
Zone on Cosmos is part of the governance mechanism of the Cosmos Network, allowing the creation and management of Blockchains independent of the Cosmos Hub, each Blockchain can have its own applications and policies. Zones are managed by Validators and they can communicate with each other via the Cosmos IBC protocol.
Zones are part of the Cosmos SDK network architecture. Each Zone can run different applications and Token standards. Cosmos Zone can also be called Subchain or Sidechain.
The first Zone built on Cosmos was IRISnet (formerly Iris Hub). IRISnet is developed by technology company Bianjie AI, and is a Blockchain for decentralized financial services applications, allowing the integration of other Blockchains and the creation of decentralized financial products, e.g. DeFi applications, Token exchanges, open source payments and more. IRISnet uses the Cosmos SDK source code to build and operate on the Cosmos network.
Structure Of Hub And Zone
Structure of Hub
Hub in Cosmos network architecture is the largest network node and the center of the network. The structure of Cosmos Hub includes the following components:
- Validator: Validators are nodes chosen to participate in validating transactions and creating new blocks on the network. They play an important role in ensuring the security and stability of the network.
- Staking: Cosmos Hub’s Staking System is a mechanism that calculates the trustworthiness and strength of validators’ contributions by requiring them to stake a token amount towards their functionality on the network, while other users can stake Contribute to validators and earn income.
- Governance: Cosmos Hub provides a community-based governance system to make management and development decisions of the network, and provides users with the opportunity to interact in the decision-making process.
- Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC): IBC is a protocol that allows other blockchains on the Cosmos Hub network to link and interact with each other to exchange information and value, thereby helping Cosmos become a larger distributed network and connect to multiple blockchains. different.
Structure of Zone
The structure of each Zone on the Cosmos network includes the following components:
- Validator: Validators on the Zone are responsible for validating transactions and creating new blocks on the Zone blockchain. They play an important role in ensuring the security and stability of the blockchain.
- Staking: Each Zone’s Staking system allows investors to stake a number of tokens to help ensure the security and strength of validator contributions on the Zone.
- Governance: Each Zone can provide a community-based governance system to make management and development decisions of the blockchain.
- Blockchain: Each Zone’s blockchain can run different applications and token standards and is managed by validators on the Zone.
- Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC): IBC allows other blockchains on the Cosmos Hub network and other Zones on the same Cosmos platform to link and interact with each other to exchange information and value.
Mechanism of Operation of Hub and Zone
Hub’s operating mechanism
Cosmos Hub is the heart of the Cosmos network and operates based on the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism, which includes the following steps:
- Staking Tokens: Users who stake their amount of Cosmos (ATOM) into the system will become Validators or contribute to existing Validators.
- Transaction authentication: Randomly selected Validators validate transactions and create new blocks on the network. Transactions are secured by an advanced encryption mechanism used in the Cosmos SDK.
- Reward and punishment: Validators who contribute to the network are rewarded with an amount of Cosmos Tokens and can also be penalized if their actions do not meet the standards of contributing to the network, for example by not following the correct transaction validation process.
- Administration: Governance decisions, including software updates, network direction management and spending policies, are made through a community-based governance system.
- IBC Link: Cosmos Hub also uses the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol to connect with other Blockchains on the Cosmos network, allowing the exchange of information and value between different Blockchains.
Zone’s mechanism of action
Each Zone in the Cosmos network operates independently and has its own Proof-of-Stake (PoS) mechanism to ensure the security and stability of the Blockchain. The basic steps of the PoS mechanism for each Zone include:
- Staking Tokens: Users stake the amount of Zone Tokens to become Validators or contribute to existing Validators on the Zone Blockchain.
- Transaction authentication: Validators authenticate transactions and create new blocks on the Blockchain. Transactions are secured using the encryption mechanism used in the Cosmos SDK.
- Reward and punishment: Validators are rewarded in token amounts and can also be penalized if their actions do not meet the standards of contribution to the network.
- Administration: Each Zone can provide a community-based governance system to make management and development decisions of Blockchain.
- IBC Link: Different Blockchains on Cosmos can interact with each other through the Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC) protocol, allowing the exchange of information and value between Blockchains on the Cosmos network.
Some Applications of Hubs and Zones
Hub
Cosmos Hub is the heart of the Cosmos network and has many important applications, including:
- Interoperability: Cosmos Hub provides the ability to link different Blockchains on the Cosmos network through the IBC protocol, allowing the exchange of information and value between different Blockchains.
- Multi-point management: Cosmos Hub allows multi-point management of other Zones on the network, making it easier to develop and manage Blockchains on the network.
- Governance: Cosmos Hub provides a community-based governance system to make management and development decisions of the Cosmos network, helping decisions to be made publicly, transparently and unanimously by the community.
- Application integration: Cosmos Hub can integrate applications and dApps, allowing applications developed on different Blockchains on the network to interact with each other.
- Staking: Cosmos Hub provides a Staking system that allows users to stake the network to contribute to the operation of the network and contribute to ensuring the security of the Blockchain.
Zone
Each Zone on the Cosmos network can have many different applications and potential uses, some key applications include:
- Application development: Developers can build independent applications and dApps on each Zone’s Blockchain, using different standards and integrating distinct features.
- Network links: Each Zone can use the IBC protocol to connect and interact with other Blockchains on the Cosmos network, allowing the exchange of information and value between different Blockchains.
- Hosting Tokens: Each Zone can run different Tokens and standards on its Blockchain, allowing the issuance and management of Tokens on the network.
- Staking: Each Zone provides a Staking system to contribute to the security of the Blockchain and receive rewards for its contributions.
- Administration: Each Zone can provide a community-based or decentralized governance system, allowing the community to participate in decision-making and manage the development of Blockchain on the network.
Compare Hubs and Zones
|
Feature |
Hub |
Zone |
|---|---|---|
|
Function |
Connect multiple computers via Ethernet port |
Divide the network into segments (segments) |
|
Connection type |
Broadcast connection |
Broadcast or unicast connection |
|
Latency |
High |
Short |
|
Responsiveness |
High arrival/departure points |
Low arrival/departure points |
|
Performance |
Short |
High |
|
Ability of extension |
Limit |
Good |
|
Security |
Do not have |
High |
To explain further, the Hub has no security because it is just a simple intermediary device to connect multiple computers together in the network. When computers connect to the Hub, data will be sent to all other computers connected to this device, and there is no mechanism to control or limit the access rights of each computer.
This means that any computer connected to the Hub can monitor and access all data transmitted on the network, including sensitive information such as passwords and login information. . This creates a potential security hole and can be exploited by Hackers or Hackers.
To improve the security of the network, network devices such as Switch or Zone Controller are used to replace Hub. They can create different partitions or Domains in the network and limit each computer’s access to different Domains.
Summary
In network architecture, both Hub and Zone are important tools to manage data traffic and improve network performance. However, the importance of Hub and Zone depends on the intended use and size of the network.
If your network is a small one and just want a simple solution to connect computers together, a Hub may be a suitable choice and meet your needs.
However, if you want to expand your network and improve network security and performance, Zone will be more useful. It allows you to divide the network into segments and use specialized network devices to manage data traffic. This helps increase data transfer speed and ensure network security.
So, there is no more important tool but the choice between Hub and Zone depends on different factors of the network and intended use.
So I have clarified what Hub and Zone are? Hope this article brings you a new perspective and lots of useful knowledge!
