Although many of you have probably heard of the Genesis network, you may not know what it is exactly, what purpose it serves, or how extensively it has been developed. Genesis is our decentralized testnet, enabling us to try out our decentralized services in a real decentralized environment. Deploying a testnet allows us to try out different configurations for the many services under review. As such, it will help us optimize our final product more quickly. This also represents our next development phase, as we will be replacing our simulated STATIC network (known as SSS) with a truly decentralized test network.

We started Genesis when we started development for X-CHAT, although it wasn’t called that when we first created it. Since then, the Genesis network has grown to encompass a total of 25 servers, desktops, laptops and virtual machines from around the world. Currently, 15 of these devices are supporting our decentralized messaging service (X-CHAT). In addition, several of them already contribute to PoSign Lite.

Team members who currently own devices on the Genesis network have set up their own respective network nodes, based on instructions outlined by the Genesis developer. As some team members have limited programming skills, their participation creates a helpful testing ground for our own node-setup instructions. Ultimately, we intend to create node-setup instructions that are easy to follow and do not require advanced programming knowledge. Currently, all nodes run in a debian 9 environment. Once we have fine-tuned their basic setup we will open them up to other environments as well

Next steps in the Genesis Network development:

• Connect all devices to the X-CHAT service

• Test the basic functions of X-CHAT on the network

• Transfer the wallet functions currently supported by SSS to the Genesis nodes

• Test wallet functions using the network:

• Testnet coins

• Implement the full PoSign service into the network

Add additional services to the network:

• X-VAULT
• X-CHANGE
• X-DEAL

The result of these tests will be the basis for a redistributable STATIC node setup. Once we have a basic redistributable setup we will be able to start adding actual (registered) STATIC nodes and begin the roll out of the STATIC network. However, even when the STATIC network is fully operational, Genesis will still be able to run further development tests.

Ultimately, we intend our platform to be a collection of various services running on different subnets, each designed for a specific purpose. The current network of Genesis nodes and the future network of STATIC nodes will serve as gateways to these different subnets. Consequently, project followers should not confuse our move from SSS to the Genesis network as a move to “mainnet”. This move simply represents a move to a new network architecture for our platform. This will allow us to do decentralized testing. The Genesis network is also an on-ramp for the STATIC network, STATIC nodes will initially connect to Genesis to eventually become a self-sufficient network. The Genesis network will remain our testing ground even when the STATIC network is live and autonomous. Moreover, the introduction of Genesis will not be tied to the development of other technologies incorporated into our platform (as these components have their own development roadmap).

In closing, we believe the Genesis network will dramatically improve our capacity for testing and development. Accordingly, we expect that it will help us quickly meet future development milestones as well.

Originally published to our blog on February 6, 2020.

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