Bootstrap Nodes

A bootstrap node in a P2P network is a trusted entry point into a peer-to-peer network. Because decentralized networks have no central server, new nodes need a known "rendezvous host" to find their first peers and begin discovering the rest of the network.

The bootstrap node doesn't run consensus or other application logic for the AI network. Its sole purpose is to be a bridge for peers to enter the network.

Each bootstrap node, including all peers that connect, runs a proof-of-stake consensus mechanism. Therefore, only peers with a validated on-chain proof-of-stake to the specific subnet can enter and communicate with other peers.