Classifications

Each node has a classification, and each classification has a minimum length of epochs. The number of epochs for each class is up to the owner of the subnet. Classifications mimic how blockchains introduce nodes to a blockchain, such as utilizing a queue, and for managing nodes

Each classification stage acts as a filter or checkpoint to prevent 66% takeovers, spam, sybil attacks, etc.

When a subnet is in the registration period, all nodes that activate are automatically placed in the Validator class.

Registered

Trigger: Registration (register_subnet_node )

Subnet nodes that register in an activated subnet will be registered as a Registered classified nodes. Registered nodes are staked participants and are not included in the consensus; therefore, they do not receive emissions.

New validators wanting to participate in consensus must deposit the subnet's minimum stake balance and register their node information. They then enter an activation queue before becoming active. The rate of activation is limited by the subnet's churn limit and registration queue epochs, which prevents sudden changes in the validator set and maintains network stability, prevents sybil attacks, and more.

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Idle

Trigger: Activation (activate_subnet_node )

After the registration period, the subnet node can activate itself on its start block in addition to the grace epochs into the Idle classification. The subnet validator node is locked in this classification for several epochs, which is unique to each subnet based on the QueueClassificationEpochs.

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Included

Trigger: Consensus

• Nodes are upgraded to Included once they are in the Idle class for the QueueClassificationEpochs.

Included-classified subnet nodes are required to be included in consensus; otherwise will increase its penalties. For each epoch included in the consensus, penalties will be decreased by one.

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Validator

Trigger: Consensus

• Nodes are upgraded to Validator once they are in the Idle class for the IncludedClassificationEpochs, are in consensus on that epoch or later, and have no penalties.

Validator classification nodes can be randomly elected to be the submitting validator for the epoch, and can attest to other elected validators' consensus submissions.