A Practical Exploration of discv5 in Distributed Applications

This thesis explores the discv5 discovery protocol, analyzing its role and implementationin decentralized network systems. Beginning with an overview of distributed networksand their architectural overlays, the study delves into the operational principles of theKademlia Distributed Hash Table (DHT) as a foundational technology for discv5. Theevolution from discv4 to discv5 is scrutinized, focusing on the enhancements and theirimplications for decentralized networking.The practical component of the thesis presents the integration of the discv5 Rust libraryinto a prototype decentralized network. This network utilizes discv5 for node discoveryand dynamic routing table management, coupled with a DHT for decentralized datastorage, presenting a model for key-value storage in distributed environments. The im-plementation details are discussed, showcasing how the discv5 library can be adaptedfor real-world applications.Extensive testing of the library under various scenarios—including IP changes, ENRupdates, and concurrent requests—provides insights into its resilience and e↵ectivenessagainst security threats, such as eclipse attacks.These tests highlight the library’scapabilities and limitations within a simulated decentralized social media platform,demonstrating its potential to enhance privacy and reduce reliance on central authori-ties.The findings underscore the viability of discv5 as a critical component for decentral-ized applications, emphasizing its security features, scalability, and adaptability. Thisthesis not only extends the theoretical understanding of distributed discovery protocolsbut also contributes practical insights into their application in enhancing decentralizeddigital ecosystems.