Glossary

A

Account (contract)

A record in a distributed database that includes the balance, code, and data.

Ack

A message from the Verifier broadcast to all network participants by Block Verifier (Acki-Nacki) when a block is verified and deemed valid.

Acki Nacki Igniter

The decentralized network starter protocol (DNSP), it collects Node and License information, tests and updates the node software and initiates Zerostate (first block) generation once all DNSP requirements are met.

Attestation

A message sent to the Block Producer (BP) by any Block Keeper (BK) after receiving a block. The Attestation is a BLS signature generated using the BK’s private key. The BP of the next block must aggregate all received Attestations for the previous block into one BLS signature and include it in the Common section of the new block.

B

Block

An object containing new transactions, which, once finalized, are stored in the blockchain as a permanent and immutable part of the decentralized ledger. Each block includes transaction data, a timestamp, a common section, and a reference to the previous block, creating a chain of interconnected blocks.

Block Keeper (BK)

A network participant with a deployed Epoch contract that receives blocks from the Block Producer (BP) and sends back an Attestation containing the block hash and other metadata. A BK can also perform the roles of a Block Verifier (Acki-Nacki) or a BP.

BK Node (BK node)

This is a node that performs the role of a Block Keeper (BK).

BK Node Owner

BK Node keys owner.

BK Node Owner keys

The node management keys that provide access to the BK wallet. They are used for managing the node, running node, staking, restaking, and adding licenses to the approved list. These keys cannot be used to withdraw Rewards from the BK wallet.

BK Reward System

Block Keepers earn rewards based on their participation in the network during each Epoch, regardless of their specific role (Block Producer, Block Verifier (Acki-Nacki), or Block Keeper). The reward depends on the BK’s stake and Reputation Coefficient, and is evenly distributed among the licenses delegated to it.

BK Wallet

The wallet used for staking. The address of the BK Wallet serves as the identifier of the node.

Block Manager (BM)

A network participant whose primary role is to provide users with blockchain data and process external messages. Block Managers receive a portion of the total block reward based on the number of external messages they process.

Block Producer (BP)

The leader of a particular Thread responsible for block production.

Block Verifier (or Acki-Nacki)

A Block Keeper responsible for block validation, who notifies all network participants of whether the block is valid or not by sending an ACK or NACK message.

BLS keys

The keys used by BK to sign blocks. The lifespan of the keys is one Epoch. For a new Epoch, new BLS keys will need to be generated. Each BK stores a list of BLS public keys of other BKs (for the current Epoch), which they use to verify attestations on blocks.

C

Common section

The section of the block that contains information shared among all network participants.

Currency Collection

A set of currencies within the Acki Nacki network designed to address various tasks beyond VMSHELL tokens, which are used for paying fees. These currencies enhance the flexibility and efficiency of the Acki Nacki ecosystem. They provide diverse functionalities tailored to specific use cases, such as value storage and staking (NACKL) or transferring funds between different Dapp IDs for subsequent conversion (SHELL).

D

Dapp ID

The identifier of a Decentralized Contract System on the Acki Nacki blockchain. This ID is equal to the address of the root smart contract, which is deployed using an external message. All contracts deployed with internal messages automatically receive the same Dapp ID. Whether from the same root contract, or from contracts deployed by the root contract.

E

Epoch

The participation period in the Acki Nacki protocol during which a participant acts as a Block Keeper. It begins immediately after the Pre-Epoch.

L

License

The BK License is a contract that grants the right for a BK to participate in the protocol and receive rewards. The license is delegated to a specific BK. Each BK can be delegated up to 5 licenses. The Licenses are delegated without restrictions..

M

Minimal Stake

The minimum amount of tokens a Block Keeper must stake to participate in the network. This value dynamically adjusts based on the difference between the current number of Block Keepers and the required number of Block Keepers in the network.

Mobile Verifier

A participant in the protocol who occasionally validates transactions in subtrees of accounts. Mobile Verifiers compete in an online game, earning Boosts, to secure a place on the mobile verifiers list, which determines their share of the Block reward.

N

Nack

A message from the Verifier broadcast to all network participants by Block Verifier (Acki-Nacki) when a block is verified and deemed invalid.

NACKL

The native network token, used for security guarantees: staking, slashing and block rewards. (currency collection index: 1)

Node Provider

A model for providing nodes to license owners, allowing them to participate in the protocol by delegating their licenses to specific nodes. Subsequently, the license owner receives a share of the rewards earned by the Block Keeper (BK) for participating in the protocol.

P

Pre-Epoch

The period before the Epoch during which a BK node synchronizes states with the network.

Proxy

A service that relays blocks to its subscribers. Type 1 Proxies subscribe to Block Keepers (BKs), which broadcast blocks to the network through them, with BKs specifying their target Proxies during the Pre-Epoch deployment. Type 2 Proxies subscribe to all Type 1 Proxies in the network and directly to BKs without their own Proxy. This structure ensures efficient block distribution across the network.

R

Reputation Coefficient

A metric that increases the rewards for Block Keepers based on their continuous participation in the protocol.

S

SHELL

The utility token within the Acki Nacki network is designed to compensate NACKL holders for the computing resources the network provides. It can be converted to VMSHELL to cover network fees at a 1:1 ratio. However, it is not possible to convert VMSHELL back to SHELL. This token can be transferred between different Dapp IDs. (currency collection index: 2)

Stake

The amount of NACKL tokens required to participate in the Acki Nacki protocol. At the launch of the Acki Nacki network (zero state), staking is not required if a License BK is present. Staking will become necessary for validation at a later stage, in accordance with the Minimal Stake.

T

Thread

A subset of nodes that serve a particular subset of Accounts.

V

VMSHELL

The unit of account used to cover network fees. It is converted from SHELL and cannot be converted back to SHELL. VMSHELL can be transferred between contracts that belong to the same Dapp ID.

Z

Zerostate

The initial state of the network (first block).