# Introduction to NØNOS Nodes

***

NØNOS nodes are the backbone of the decentralized privacy network. By running a node, you contribute computing resources to power privacy services for browser users worldwide and earn NOX token rewards in return.

***

### What is a NØNOS Node?

A NØNOS node is a software daemon that:

1. **Provides Cryptographic Privacy Services**: ZK identity verification, cache mixing, tracking protection
2. **Participates in P2P Network**: Discovers peers, propagates messages, shares Merkle tree updates
3. **Reports Quality Metrics**: Uptime, latency, success rates
4. **Earns Rewards**: NOX tokens proportional to stake and service quality

> **Note**: NONOS nodes do NOT route traffic like Tor or a VPN. Traffic routing is handled by **Anyone Network** (a separate project). NONOS nodes focus on cryptographic privacy services for the browser.

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        NONOS NODE                                   │
│                                                                     │
│   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│   │                    PRIVACY SERVICES                         │   │
│   │   ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌───────────────────┐   │   │
│   │   │ ZK Identity │  │ Cache Mixer │  │ Tracking Blocker  │   │   │
│   │   │   Engine    │  │  (AES-GCM)  │  │  (Pattern Match)  │   │   │
│   │   └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └───────────────────┘   │   │
│   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                                                     │
│   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│   │                    NETWORK SERVICES                         │   │
│   │   ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌───────────────────┐   │   │
│   │   │   Kademlia  │  │  GossipSub  │  │ Health Beacon     │   │   │
│   │   │     DHT     │  │   Topics    │  │  (5-min cycle)    │   │   │
│   │   └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └───────────────────┘   │   │
│   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                                                     │
│   ┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐   │
│   │                    ECONOMIC LAYER                           │   │
│   │   ┌─────────────┐  ┌─────────────┐  ┌───────────────────┐   │   │
│   │   │   Staking   │  │   Reward    │  │ Quality Metrics   │   │   │
│   │   │   Manager   │  │   Tracker   │  │    Collector      │   │   │
│   │   └─────────────┘  └─────────────┘  └───────────────────┘   │   │
│   └─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘   │
│                                                                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

***

### Why Run a Node?

#### `1. Earn NOX Rewards`

Node operators earn NOX tokens based on:

| Factor              | Weight    | Description                        |
| ------------------- | --------- | ---------------------------------- |
| **Stake Amount**    | √Stake    | Square-root weighted (anti-whale)  |
| **Quality Score**   | 0-100%    | Uptime, latency, success rate      |
| **Tier Multiplier** | 1.0-3.0x  | Based on stake tier                |
| **Streak Bonus**    | +5%/epoch | Consecutive good epochs (max +25%) |

**Example Earnings** (Year 1, assuming 5M total network stake):

| Stake       | Tier     | Quality | Est. Daily | Est. Monthly | Est. APY |
| ----------- | -------- | ------- | ---------- | ------------ | -------- |
| 10,000 NOX  | Silver   | 95%     | \~8.7 NOX  | \~261 NOX    | \~32%    |
| 50,000 NOX  | Gold     | 95%     | \~29 NOX   | \~870 NOX    | \~21%    |
| 200,000 NOX | Platinum | 95%     | \~77 NOX   | \~2,310 NOX  | \~14%    |

*Actual returns vary based on network conditions and total stake.*

#### `2. Support Privacy Infrastructure`

Every node strengthens the network:

* **More nodes = more resilience**: No single point of failure
* **Geographic distribution**: Censorship resistance
* **Increased capacity**: Better service for all users
* **Decentralization**: True trustlessness

#### `3. Be Part of the Community`

Node operators are core community members:

* Early access to protocol updates
* Voice in governance decisions
* Direct impact on network development
* Connection with privacy advocates worldwide

***

### Node Lifecycle

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                        NODE LIFECYCLE                               │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘

    ┌──────────┐
    │  SETUP   │ ◄──── Install software, configure settings
    └────┬─────┘
         │
         ▼
    ┌──────────┐
    │  STAKE   │ ◄──── Deposit NOX tokens on-chain
    └────┬─────┘
         │
         ▼
    ┌──────────┐
    │   RUN    │ ◄──── Start daemon, connect to network
    └────┬─────┘
         │
         ▼
    ┌──────────┐
    │  SERVE   │ ◄──── Provide services, collect metrics
    └────┬─────┘       │
         │             │ (ongoing)
         ▼             │
    ┌──────────┐       │
    │  EARN    │ ◄─────┘ Accumulate pending rewards
    └────┬─────┘
         │
         ▼
    ┌──────────┐
    │  CLAIM   │ ◄──── Claim rewards to wallet (manual or auto)
    └────┬─────┘
         │
    ┌────┴────┐
    │         │
    ▼         ▼
 Continue   ┌──────────┐
 Running    │ UNSTAKE  │ ◄──── Withdraw stake (optional)
            └──────────┘
```

***

### Requirements Overview

#### Minimum Requirements

| Resource    | Minimum   | Recommended  |
| ----------- | --------- | ------------ |
| **CPU**     | 2 vCPU    | 4+ vCPU      |
| **RAM**     | 4 GB      | 8+ GB        |
| **Storage** | 50 GB SSD | 100+ GB NVMe |
| **Network** | 100 Mbps  | 1 Gbps       |
| **Stake**   | 1,000 NOX | 10,000+ NOX  |

#### Supported Platforms

| Platform                  | Status          | Notes            |
| ------------------------- | --------------- | ---------------- |
| **Linux (x86\_64)**       | ✅ Full Support  | Recommended      |
| **Linux (ARM64)**         | ✅ Full Support  | Raspberry Pi 4+  |
| **macOS (Intel)**         | ✅ Full Support  |                  |
| **macOS (Apple Silicon)** | ✅ Full Support  | M1/M2/M3         |
| **Windows**               | ⚠️ Experimental | WSL2 recommended |
| **Docker**                | ✅ Full Support  | All platforms    |

***

### Quick Start

```bash
# 1. Install NONOS
curl -sSL https://get.nonos.systems | sh

# 2. Initialize configuration
nonos init --reward-address 0xYourEthereumAddress

# 3. Set your wallet key (for staking operations)
export NONOS_WALLET_KEY="your-private-key"

# 4. Stake tokens (if not already staked)
nonos stake deposit 10000

# 5. Start the node
nonos run

# 6. (Optional) Launch dashboard in another terminal
nonos dash
```

***

### What Happens When You Run a Node

#### Startup Sequence

1. **Load Configuration**: Read `~/.nonos/config.toml`
2. **Initialize Identity**: Generate or load Ed25519 keypair
3. **Connect to Network**: Bootstrap via known nodes
4. **Start Services**: ZK identity, cache mixer, tracking blocker
5. **Begin Operations**: Accept connections, report health

#### Ongoing Operations

| Interval   | Operation       | Purpose             |
| ---------- | --------------- | ------------------- |
| Continuous | Handle requests | Serve browser users |
| 30 seconds | Collect metrics | Track performance   |
| 5 minutes  | Health beacon   | Prove liveness      |
| 1 hour     | Quality report  | Update score        |
| 7 days     | Epoch end       | Finalize rewards    |

#### Shutdown Sequence

1. **Graceful disconnect**: Notify peers
2. **Submit final metrics**: Last quality report
3. **Flush storage**: Persist state
4. **Clean exit**: Remove PID file

***

### Node Identity

Each node has a unique cryptographic identity:

```
┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                       NODE IDENTITY                                 │
│                                                                     │
│   Ed25519 Private Key (stored securely)                             │
│          │                                                          │
│          ▼                                                          │
│   Ed25519 Public Key ────► Node ID (32 bytes, hex encoded)          │
│                                                                     │
│   Example: 0x7a3b9c4d...e8f2a1b3                                    │
│                                                                     │
│   Used for:                                                         │
│   • P2P network identification                                      │
│   • Signing health beacons                                          │
│   • Quality report authentication                                   │
│   • Peer-to-peer encrypted communication                            │
│                                                                     │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
```

***

### Next Steps

<table data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Node Architecture</strong></td><td>Deep dive into node internals</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Running a Node</strong></td><td>Step-by-step setup guide</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Hardware Requirements</strong></td><td>Detailed resource planning</td></tr><tr><td><strong>Staking Overview</strong></td><td>Understand the economics</td></tr></tbody></table>

***

> **Ready to get started?** Jump to Running a Node for the complete setup guide.