# ParallelChain Network

Implementation of [ParallelChain Protocol](https://github.com/parallelchain-io/parallelchain-protocol) peer-to-peer (P2P) networking.

ParallelChain Network is a combination of **4** [libp2p](https://crates.io/crates/libp2p) protocols running on top of a [Noise](https://docs.libp2p.io/concepts/secure-comm/noise/)-authenticated TCP transport:
1. [Kademlia](https://github.com/libp2p/specs/tree/master/kad-dht) forms and maintains a connected and efficient network topology: every peer can reach every other peer in a small number of hops.
2. [Identify](https://github.com/libp2p/specs/tree/master/identify) lets peers inform other peers of changes in their basic information.
3. [Ping](https://github.com/libp2p/specs/blob/master/ping/ping.md) lets peers quickly check the liveness of other peers.
4. [Gossipsub](https://github.com/libp2p/specs/tree/master/pubsub/gossipsub) implements the primary useful function of ParallelChain Network: general publish/subscribe messaging.

## Compatibility

This version (**v0.4.3**) of pchain-network implements **v0.4** of the ParallelChain Protocol. 

## Usage

Starting a `pchain_network` peer: [docs.rs](https://docs.rs/pchain_network/0.4.2/pchain_network/#starting-a-peer).

## Opening an issue

Open an issue in GitHub if you:
1. Have a feature request / feature idea,
2. Have any questions (particularly software related questions),
3. Think you may have discovered a bug.

Please try to label your issues appropriately.