# Acequia System: A Decentralized Data and Compute Network

## System Overview

The Acequia System is a decentralized network of data and compute nodes, inspired by traditional community-operated water distribution systems. It creates a peer-to-peer infrastructure for sharing computational resources and data across distributed nodes, primarily leveraging web technologies.

## Core Architecture Components

### 1. Node Types

#### Browser-Based Nodes

- Utilize domain sandboxes in browsers for isolation
- Use service workers for proxying data flow
- Leverage standard web protocols (HTTP, WebSocket, WebRTC)
- Each node has a unique cryptographic identity

#### Native Nodes (Alternative Implementation)

- Run on dedicated hardware (e.g., Raspberry Pi, servers)
- Provide more persistent and resource-rich participation
- Use containerization for workload isolation
- Offer greater storage and compute capacity

### 2. Identity and Authentication

- Each node generates a public/private key pair
- Nodes are assigned a persistent GUID as a `deviceId`
- Each browser instance receives a unique `instanceId`
- JSON Web Tokens (JWTs) handle authentication between nodes
- Tokens include device and instance identifiers plus permissions

### 3. Communication Infrastructure

- WebServer/WebDAV server acts as domain nucleus
- Single server can handle multiple domains via host headers
- Uses wildcard TLS certificates for secure connections
- Three primary communication protocols:
  - HTTP for RESTful interactions
  - WebSockets for persistent connections
  - WebRTC for direct peer-to-peer communication

### 4. Computational Framework

- Domain sandboxes isolate computation tasks
- Service workers manage task execution and resource allocation
- Cross-Origin Resource Sharing (CORS) enables controlled communication
- Origin-based isolation through subdomains
- Web Workers handle CPU-intensive operations

### 5. Resource Management

- Nodes contribute and consume resources dynamically
- Performance monitoring through browser APIs
- Graceful degradation when resources are constrained
- Task distribution based on node capabilities and load

## Security Considerations

- Same-Origin Policy (SOP) enforces isolation
- Content Security Policy (CSP) restricts script execution
- Cryptographic verification of node identities
- Origin isolation prevents cross-contamination
- JWT-based authorization for resource access

## Implementation Specifics

### Domain Structure

- Main domain coordinates the network
- Subdomains execute isolated computations
- Service workers mediate communication

### Node Discovery and Registration

- Nodes register with well-known endpoints
- Public keys are distributed through the network
- New nodes can join through invitation or discovery

### Data Flow

- Service workers proxy requests between nodes
- WebDAV provides standardized file operations
- Data can be stored, processed, and forwarded through the network

## Applications

The Acequia System could be utilized for:

- Distributed computing projects
- Decentralized data storage and sharing
- Edge computing applications
- Resilient web services that don't rely on centralized infrastructure
- Community-operated digital infrastructure

This architecture combines the accessibility of web technologies with the principles of decentralized systems to create a flexible, secure, and resilient network of computational resources.

Consider these projects:

- Cloudflare Durable Object: https://developers.cloudflare.com/durable-objects/
- Cap'n Proto: https://capnproto.org/
- AT Protocol: https://atproto.com/
- Cap'n Web: https://blog.cloudflare.com/capnweb-javascript-rpc-library/ https://github.com/cloudflare/capnweb

How would they inform a specification for an AcequiaObject
