glm-5.1
5c8448ff86
Correct the conflation of quinn/TLS/iroh as interchangeable transports. They are complementary connectivity modes serving different deployment contexts: quinn (public IP + TLS), iroh (NAT traversal via relay), TCP (handler-specific, not core). Clarify that TLS cert = network identity, not auth identity. Map stealth mode to HTTP handler on standard ALPNs instead of byte-peeking. Resolve OQ-05 as one-way door. SendStream/ RecvStream now use internal enum dispatch for both quinn and iroh streams.
status, last_updated
| status | last_updated |
|---|---|
| draft | 2026-06-17 |
Alknet Architecture
Current State
Pre-implementation. The project has completed a pivot from a three-layer model to an ALPN-as-service model. The greenfield workspace contains only alknet-vault (stable) and research/reference material. Foundational ADRs (001–011) are in place, including the BiStream type definition (ADR-007), vault integration (ADR-008), ALPN router/endpoint (ADR-010), and AuthContext structure (ADR-011). The alknet-core crate spec is in draft.
Next step: Review alknet-core spec documents, then begin implementation. Two-way-door questions (OQ-05, OQ-07, OQ-11, OQ-12) will be resolved during implementation.
Architecture Documents
| Document | Status | Description |
|---|---|---|
| overview.md | draft | Workspace-level overview, crate graph, shared types, design principles |
| open-questions.md | draft | Centralized OQ tracker with door-type classifications |
| crates/core/README.md | draft | alknet-core crate index |
| crates/core/core-types.md | draft | ProtocolHandler, HandlerError, Connection, BiStream, StreamError |
| crates/core/endpoint.md | draft | ALPN router, HandlerRegistry, accept loop, shutdown |
| crates/core/auth.md | draft | AuthContext, Identity, IdentityProvider, AuthToken, resolution flow |
| crates/core/config.md | draft | StaticConfig, DynamicConfig, ArcSwap, ConfigReloadHandle |
Crate-specific specs for alknet-call, alknet-ssh, etc. will be created when each crate is ready for Phase 1 architecture work.
ADR Table
| ADR | Title | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 001 | ALPN-Based Protocol Dispatch | Accepted |
| 002 | ProtocolHandler Trait | Accepted |
| 003 | Crate Decomposition | Accepted |
| 004 | Auth as Shared Core (IdentityProvider) | Accepted |
| 005 | irpc as Call Protocol Foundation | Accepted |
| 006 | ALPN String Convention and Connection Model | Accepted |
| 007 | BiStream Type Definition | Accepted |
| 008 | Vault Integration Point | Accepted |
| 009 | One-Way Door Decision Framework | Accepted |
| 010 | ALPN Router and Endpoint | Proposed |
| 011 | AuthContext Structure and Resolution Flow | Proposed |
Open Questions
See open-questions.md for the full tracker.
Resolved one-way doors:
- OQ-01: BiStream type — trait with Connection parameter (ADR-007)
- OQ-02: AuthContext timing — hybrid model (ADR-004)
- OQ-03: ALPN naming —
alknet/prefix, no version (ADR-006) - OQ-05: Multi-connectivity endpoint — quinn + iroh, both feature-gated (ADR-010)
- OQ-06: ALPN per connection, not per stream (ADR-006)
- OQ-08: Vault integration — CLI-embedded via call protocol (ADR-008)
Resolved two-way doors:
- OQ-04: Dynamic handler registration — static at startup (ADR-010)
- OQ-12: TLS certificate provisioning — file paths in StaticConfig, ACME later
Two-way doors (resolved or deferred to implementation):
- OQ-07: Call protocol scope — start with one stream per operation
- OQ-11: Handler-level auth resolution observability — decide during implementation
Deferred (not active):
- OQ-09: WASM target boundaries — design constraint, not deliverable
- OQ-10: Git adapter scope — start with smart protocol, add ERC721 later
Document Lifecycle
| Status | Meaning | Transitions |
|---|---|---|
draft |
Under active development. May change significantly. | → reviewed when open questions are resolved |
reviewed |
Architecture is final. Implementation may begin. Changes require review. | → stable when implementation is complete and verified |
stable |
Locked. Changes require review and may warrant an ADR. | → deprecated when superseded |
deprecated |
Superseded. Kept for reference. | Removed when no longer referenced |
References
- Pivot proposal:
docs/research/pivot/alpn-service-architecture.md - Cleanup plan:
docs/research/pivot/cleanup-plan.md - SDD process:
docs/sdd_process.md - Reference implementation:
/workspace/@alkdev/alknet-main/