.seigr

.seigr File Format

The .seigr file (pronounced "dot-seigr") is a data format developed for the Seigr Urcelial-net decentralized network. Inspired by the interconnected nature of mycelial networks, .seigr files make it possible to store and distribute data securely across a decentralized ecosystem, ensuring accessibility, security, and scalability for all contributors. The .seigr format enables Seigr to distribute sensitive data robustly, making it accessible across various device capabilities.

Why the .seigr File Format?

As technology becomes more decentralized and community-driven, data management must also prioritize adaptability, security, and inclusivity. The .seigr format addresses these priorities by splitting data into standardized, compact units of 539 KB that can be handled by devices of any capacity. The format uses innovative senary (base-6) encoding to maximize storage efficiency, enable tamper-proof integrity, and ensure that all participants can contribute and access data, regardless of device capability.

Key Features of .seigr Files

The .seigr file format offers a range of features to enhance flexibility, security, and scalability:

• Fixed Size of 539 KB: Each .seigr file is exactly 539 KB, making it lightweight enough for mobile devices yet robust enough for servers, which supports Seigr Urcelial-net’s accessibility and scalability goals.

• Senary Encoding: Using senary encoding, each .seigr file represents binary data in base-6 using six characters (0-5). This approach reduces storage requirements and optimizes the data for distributed storage efficiency on the network.

• Tamper-Proof Hash Chaining: Each .seigr file includes a cryptographic hash that links it to previous and next files in the chain. This "hash chain" helps detect any data tampering, ensuring data integrity across the network.

• Decentralized Storage with IPFS: Using IPFS, each .seigr file is shared across a decentralized network, making it securely accessible and location-independent. Participants in the Seigr Urcelial-net, known as Hyphens, manage and share these files across the network.

The Seed .seigr File: Managing File Collection and Retrieval

The Seed .seigr File is a unique element of the .seigr format, which acts as the "master" or root file for any segmented data set. It contains metadata, routing information, and the hashes of all segments needed to reconstruct the original file. Here’s how the Seed .seigr File supports data management:

• Core Reference for Reconstruction: When a user needs to access or restore the complete data set, they can use the seed file to fetch all necessary segments. The seed file points to all segments, eliminating the need to manage each individually.

• Dynamic Route Updates: As files are distributed and replicated across the network, the seed file keeps updated routes and replication points, allowing for seamless data migration across network locations.

• Organized Folder Structure: Each file set has a dedicated IPFS folder, named after the seed file’s hash. This setup allows for clean data management, making it easy for users to retrieve or verify all related segments by accessing only the seed file.

Structure of a .seigr File

The .seigr format is both minimalistic and powerful. Each file includes key components, structured as follows:

• Header: Contains essential metadata, including:
• Version: The version of the format, ensuring compatibility with updates.
• File Type: Specifies the data type (e.g., binary, text).
• Part Index: Identifies the segment’s position in the complete file set.
• Total Parts: The total number of segments in the data set.
• Associated Segments: A list of hashes for all related segments, supporting cross-referencing.
• Replication Count: Tracks how many copies are available on the network, aiding in adaptive replication.

• Senary Encoded Data: The core data of the file, stored as a senary-encoded string that compactly represents the original file’s data.

• Integrity Verification: A cryptographic hash (using HyphaCrypt) that verifies the file’s integrity and ensures it hasn’t been tampered with.

Adaptive Replication and Cross-Referencing System

The .seigr format integrates advanced cross-referencing and adaptive replication systems to enhance scalability and data availability:

1. Cross-Referencing:

  - Each segment references other segments within the Associated Segments field, listing the hashes needed to reconstruct the full data set. This cross-referencing means nodes can efficiently retrieve all required parts without a central manifest.

2. Dynamic Replication:

  - The Replication Count tracks the number of copies for each .seigr file on the network. The default minimum replication level is set to six. This count increases dynamically as demand for specific segments rises, maintaining minimum copies for less-used segments and increasing copies for popular segments to optimize resource use.

3. Availability and Integrity Verification:

  - Regular checks ensure each .seigr file meets minimum replication and integrity standards. Missing or corrupted segments can be regenerated based on other files’ hashes, enabling the network to self-heal and adapt to changes.

Distributed Data Management: The Role of Hyphens

Participants within the Seigr Urcelial-net, called Hyphens, play a crucial role in the decentralized sharing and caching of .seigr files:

• File Caching and Sharing: Each Hyphen caches certain .seigr files to ensure availability, even when other nodes are offline. This approach distributes storage needs and reduces the load on individual nodes.

• Replication and Demand-Responsive Scaling: Hyphens are responsible for managing replication based on file popularity. High-demand files are replicated more widely, while low-demand files maintain a minimum replication level.

• Self-Healing and Integrity Verification: Using hash chains, Hyphens can verify data integrity and detect corrupted or missing files, using associated segments to replace any invalid files. This supports a highly resilient, robust network.

The Encoder/Decoder Module

The Encoder/Decoder Module, powered by HyphaCrypt, is responsible for handling data compression, senary encoding, and retrieval:

• Senary Encoding: Converts binary data into senary format, making it compatible with Seigr’s network.

• Decompression and Decoding: Decodes and decompresses data back to its original format upon retrieval.

Adaptive Replication and Availability Strategy

The Seigr Urcelial-net uses an Adaptive Replication strategy to ensure each .seigr file is available based on network demand:

• Replication Scaling: High-demand .seigr files are automatically replicated more widely across nodes, which shortens access time for users. Low-demand files maintain a minimum of six copies to optimize storage.

• Replication Count Monitoring: Hyphens monitor replication levels, initiating new copies if the availability falls below the minimum threshold, guaranteeing that each .seigr file is accessible when needed.

Security and Integrity with the .seigr Format

Security is a fundamental principle of the .seigr format. Each file is tamper-proof, with a hash-based structure reinforced by HyphaCrypt encryption. This structure includes multi-layered encoding, adaptive hashing, and dynamic salting, ensuring that changes are detectable. Additionally, .seigr files can be encrypted before distribution, meaning only authorized users can decode and view the contents. This combination of encryption, hashing, and decentralized distribution makes .seigr files highly secure for data storage on the Seigr Urcelial-net.

Advantages of the .seigr File Format

• Inclusivity: With a fixed size of 539 KB, .seigr files are accessible on devices of all types and capabilities.
• Scalability: As each .seigr file is independently stored and managed, Seigr Urcelial-net scales dynamically without overwhelming nodes.
• Enhanced Security: The hash chain, paired with IPFS addressing and the security features of HyphaCrypt, offers robust protection against unauthorized changes.

Future Potential

The .seigr file format is a pioneering step in decentralized data management. As Seigr grows, there is potential to refine and enhance .seigr files with advanced cryptographic features, complex data structures, and deeper integration with decentralized applications. The .seigr format’s flexibility will allow it to evolve alongside the Seigr ecosystem, helping foster a sustainable, transparent digital landscape.

Conclusion

The .seigr file format goes beyond data storage; it redefines security, accessibility, and scalability. By blending mycelial-inspired network structures with modern technology such as HyphaCrypt, senary encoding, and IPFS, .seigr files allow the community to support a more equitable, resilient digital ecosystem.

The .seigr format exemplifies the power of decentralized technology built for community, accessibility, and adaptability. Whether new to Seigr or an expert in decentralized systems, the .seigr format invites everyone to participate in a transformative movement for digital collaboration and sustainable development.