Directory Chain

Overview

The Directory Chain serves as a critical system chain within the Chromia network, acting as the central registry and coordination hub for all network participants and chains. It provides essential infrastructure for network organization, authentication, and cross-chain communication.

Core functions

Chain registry and management

The Directory Chain maintains comprehensive records of the Chromia network:

• Chain registration: Stores metadata and operational information for all chains:
  • Dapp chains
  • System chains
  • Test networks
• Chain discovery: Enables efficient location and interaction between chains
• Version management: Tracks chain versions and updates

Identity and authentication

The Directory Chain provides crucial identity services:

• Entity registration: Maintains secure records for:
  • Dapp deployments
  • Provider nodes
  • User identities
• Authentication services: Enables secure verification mechanisms
• Access control: Manages permissions and roles

Network governance

The Directory Chain facilitates network-wide coordination:

• Update management: Coordinates network-wide upgrades
• Policy implementation: Ensures consistent application of network policies
• Consensus updates: Manages protocol evolution
• Economic policy: Coordinates with Economy Chain for policy implementation

Economy Chain integration

The Directory Chain works in tandem with the Economy Chain to enable:

• Fee management:
  • Validates provider eligibility for fee collection
  • Coordinates staking mechanisms
  • Supports reward distribution verification
• Network operations:
  • Ensures registered chains meet network requirements
  • Validates provider service delivery
  • Coordinates cross-chain economic activities

Interoperability services

The Directory Chain supports network-wide interaction:

• Chain discovery: Provides lookup services for cross-chain communication
• Protocol coordination: Ensures consistent standards across chains
• Integration support: Facilitates multi-chain application deployment

Through these functions, the Directory Chain serves as the backbone of Chromia's network organization, enabling efficient operation of both system and application chains.

Integration and system queries

To integrate Directory Chain functionality into your dapp or perform system queries, you can:

System queries and metadata

• System queries: Use Rell system queries to retrieve network information and chain metadata
• Chain discovery: Learn how to connect clients to your dapp using Directory Chain for node discovery
• Network configuration: Understand Directory Chain configuration for custom deployments

Provider and network management

• Provider operations: Explore PMC commands for advanced Directory Chain interactions
• Container management: Learn about adding providers to voter sets and transferring container ownership
• Blockchain authentication: Understand blockchain-based provider authentication for Directory Chain operations

Cross-chain communication

• ICMF integration: Implement cross-chain communication using the Interchain Messaging Facility
• ICCF integration: Use the Interchain Confirmation Facility for cross-chain confirmations

For detailed implementation examples and integration patterns, refer to the Directory Chain repository on GitLab.

Repository

The Directory Chain is open source and available on GitLab:

Repository: https://gitlab.com/chromaway/core/directory-chain

This repository contains the complete implementation of the Directory Chain, including:

• Chain registry and management functionality
• Identity and authentication services
• Network governance mechanisms
• Economy Chain integration
• Interoperability services
• ICMF and ICCF protocol implementations