Shared network key
Use the shared-key mode when both peers operate inside a trusted boundary and need lower handshake overhead.
Protocol
ACIDs, packets, and encrypted transport.
Auranet messages are structured envelopes with explicit headers, payloads, timestamps, and session identifiers. The protocol is designed to keep identity stable while allowing peers to communicate directly or through relays.
Identity model
Permanent and temporary ACIDs have different jobs.
| Type | Format | Use |
|---|---|---|
| Permanent ACID | auranet-p-... |
Long-lived identity for users, services, relays, and nodes. |
| Temporary ACID | auranet-t-... |
Ephemeral session handle that scopes a live exchange. |
Encryption
Two modes, one consistent envelope.
Private key exchange
Use the private mode when peers need point-to-point secrecy through X25519 and a derived symmetric transport key.
Authenticated payloads
ChaCha20-Poly1305 protects the message body and guards against tampering in both modes.
Transport
UDP first, stream wrappers when a session needs them.
UDP transport one packet -> one Auranet message best for real-time and relay-aware exchange Stream transport 4-byte length prefix -> encrypted payload frame best for socket-backed control channels and transfers