The Yggdrasil Network

 

Discovering the Yggdrasil Network: A Decentralized Path to Secure Connectivity

If you're tired of Big Tech or simply curious about decentralized technology, Yggdrasil could be the next big thing to explore. 

I will talk about why it matters, its use cases/core functions, and how you can use it to make resilient networks that don't have to rely on the internet.

 What is it?

Yggdrasil is a software router (a program you install on your computer) and routing protocol designed for effortless multi-hop computer networks.  Yggdrasil links devices in a fully decentralized manner, allowing them to securely communicate over IPv6 with end-to-end encryption. It's not just another VPN, it's a peer to peer overlay network that self organizes, heals from disruptions, and can scale to near infinity.

 

Unlike traditional networks that depend on central servers or ISPs, Yggdrasil turns every participating device into a router. This means you can build ad-hoc networks wherever you like, without needing permission from anyone. It can run on almost any device, and in some cases, doesn't need to be configured at all.

To visualize what this looks like, here's a real diagram of what the Yggdrasil network looks like, showing how nodes interconnect on a decentralized web:

 

Core Functions of Yggdrasil

1. Routing and Traffic Forwarding 

The Yggdrasil Network finds the most direct route from source to destination. Every node acts as a router, forwarding traffic to help it reach its goal.
If a link fails (a device could have moved or a connection could have dropped), the network heals itself by rerouting traffic through an alternative path. This makes it ideal for mobile or unstable environments.

2. Peering and Connection Management 

Nodes can connect over any IP-based transport, meaning if it has an address (even link-local), you can connect to it. This means peerings can be made over cell networks, direct ethernet connection, wifi, bluetooth PAN, or even avian carrier.

No manual setup is needed for basic operation, as if a node is on the same local network as you, they can peer automatically using IPv6 multicast. However, you can choose to configure public peers, to join the worldwide network.

3. Identity, Addressing, and Encryption 

Each node generates a cryptographic identity using keys, which is where your IPv6 address comes from. These addresses stick with the device even if it moves, allowing for seamless mobility.

Cryptographic addresses mean it is nearly impossible to hijack an IP address, you can be sure the source and destination addresses are legitimate.
It also means that you do not need any centralized server in charge of keeping track of who owns what address.

All traffic is fully end-to-end encrypted (with your device's key), protecting data as it traverses through the network. This ensures  

Why Raise Awareness About Yggdrasil?

In a world dealing with surveillance, unreliable infrastructure, and internet inaccessibility, Yggdrasil stands out, allowing the internet to be built by the people who use it.

Recent benchmarks show it outperforming traditional protocols in efficiency and reach, making it a promising choice for a large scale decentralized mesh network. With active communities on platforms like Reddit and Github (and some sites internal to the Yggdrasil network), its growing steadily.

How to Get Started

Head over to their downloads page and install the software on your device. You can install it on multiple devices, and they will automatically "see" eachother if they are on the same network. You can then look at a list of public peers and add them to your configuration file to join the global network.