c89b616e7d
The exposed AddNode, AddEdge and UpdateEdge methods of the Builder are
currently synchronous since even though they pass messages to the
network handler which spins off the handling in a goroutine, the public
methods still wait for a response from the handling before returning.
The only part that is actually done asynchronously is the topology
notifications.
We previously tried to simplify things in [this
commit](d757b3bcfc)
but we soon realised that there was a reason for sending the messages to
the central/synchronous network handler first: it was to ensure
consistency for topology clients: ie, the ordering between when there is
a new topology client or if it is cancelled needs to be consistent and
handled synchronously with new network updates. So for example, if a new
update comes in right after a topology client cancels its subscription,
then it should _not_ be notified. Similariy for new subscriptions. So
this commit was reverted soon after.
We can, however, still simplify things as is done in this commit by
noting that _only topology subscriptions and notifications_ need to be
handled separately. The actual network updates do not need to. So that
is what is done here.
This refactor will make moving the topology subscription logic to a new
subsystem later on much easier.
Lightning Network Daemon
The Lightning Network Daemon (lnd) - is a complete implementation of a
Lightning Network node. lnd has several pluggable back-end
chain services including btcd (a
full-node), bitcoind, and
neutrino (a new experimental light client). The project's codebase uses the
btcsuite set of Bitcoin libraries, and also
exports a large set of isolated re-usable Lightning Network related libraries
within it. In the current state lnd is capable of:
- Creating channels.
- Closing channels.
- Completely managing all channel states (including the exceptional ones!).
- Maintaining a fully authenticated+validated channel graph.
- Performing path finding within the network, passively forwarding incoming payments.
- Sending outgoing onion-encrypted payments through the network.
- Updating advertised fee schedules.
- Automatic channel management (
autopilot).
Lightning Network Specification Compliance
lnd fully conforms to the Lightning Network specification
(BOLTs). BOLT stands for:
Basis of Lightning Technology. The specifications are currently being drafted
by several groups of implementers based around the world including the
developers of lnd. The set of specification documents as well as our
implementation of the specification are still a work-in-progress. With that
said, the current status of lnd's BOLT compliance is:
- BOLT 1: Base Protocol
- BOLT 2: Peer Protocol for Channel Management
- BOLT 3: Bitcoin Transaction and Script Formats
- BOLT 4: Onion Routing Protocol
- BOLT 5: Recommendations for On-chain Transaction Handling
- BOLT 7: P2P Node and Channel Discovery
- BOLT 8: Encrypted and Authenticated Transport
- BOLT 9: Assigned Feature Flags
- BOLT 10: DNS Bootstrap and Assisted Node Location
- BOLT 11: Invoice Protocol for Lightning Payments
Developer Resources
The daemon has been designed to be as developer friendly as possible in order
to facilitate application development on top of lnd. Two primary RPC
interfaces are exported: an HTTP REST API, and a gRPC
service. The exported APIs are not yet stable, so be warned: they may change
drastically in the near future.
An automatically generated set of documentation for the RPC APIs can be found at api.lightning.community. A set of developer resources including guides, articles, example applications and community resources can be found at: docs.lightning.engineering.
Finally, we also have an active
Slack where protocol developers, application developers, testers and users gather to
discuss various aspects of lnd and also Lightning in general.
Installation
In order to build from source, please see the installation instructions.
Docker
To run lnd from Docker, please see the main Docker instructions
IRC
- irc.libera.chat
- channel #lnd
- webchat
Safety
When operating a mainnet lnd node, please refer to our operational safety
guidelines. It is important to note that lnd is still
beta software and that ignoring these operational guidelines can lead to
loss of funds.
Security
The developers of lnd take security very seriously. The disclosure of
security vulnerabilities helps us secure the health of lnd, privacy of our
users, and also the health of the Lightning Network as a whole. If you find
any issues regarding security or privacy, please disclose the information
responsibly by sending an email to security at lightning dot engineering,
preferably encrypted using our designated PGP key
(91FE464CD75101DA6B6BAB60555C6465E5BCB3AF) which can be found
here.