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Stream Allocation on River Protocol

Stream Allocation is a core component of the River Protocol, providing a robust and efficient mechanism for managing streams. This document outlines the key principles and processes that govern stream allocation within the River ecosystem.

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Principles of Stream Allocation

1. Base Mainnet and River Chain Authority

   • Base Mainnet Authority: Base Mainnet is the authoritative layer for channels and spaces.
   • River Chain Authority: The Stream Registry on the River Chain serves as the authority for the allocation of other streams.

2. User Stream Creation and Verification

   • User Stream Inception: User streams are initiated with a verifiable signature from the user. This ensures that each stream is securely linked to the initiating user.
   • Channel Stream Inception: Channel streams are initiated by a client but verified by the existence of the channel already having been created on Base in the Space contract.
   • Signature Requirement: A verifiable signature from the user is mandatory to create a direct message (DM) stream for them.

3. Stream Allocation Process

   • Deterministic Allocation: Stream allocation is deterministic, based on the River Chain block number, randomness, and the list of active nodes.
   • Replication Standard: Streams are replicated to the default protocol replication setting of 5. This ensures redundancy and reliability in stream data.

4. Workload Equality Among Nodes

   • Equal Work Distribution: Over time, each node is expected to perform roughly the same total amount of work, despite operating on different individual streams.
   • Adaptive Workload: The system adjusts the allocation of streams to maintain workload equality among nodes.

5. Stream Rebalancing

   • Rebalancing on Node Joining/Leaving: Streams are rebalanced when nodes join or leave the network.
   • Adding New Nodes: Some stream replicas are added to new nodes to ensure they become equal participants in the system.
   • Handling Node Departure: Similarly, stream replicas are adjusted when nodes leave to maintain the balance and integrity of the system.

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Implementation Guidelines

• Ensuring Fair Distribution: Implement mechanisms to monitor and adjust the distribution of streams among nodes to ensure fairness and efficiency.
• Secure Signature Verification: Implement robust methods for verifying user signatures during stream creation, especially for DM streams.
• Dynamic Rebalancing Logic: Develop and integrate dynamic rebalancing logic that responds to changes in the network, such as nodes joining or leaving.