Seigr Metadata[edit]

The Seigr Metadata system is a foundational element of Seigr's decentralized ecosystem, responsible for embedding critical data attributes, history tracking, and adaptive replication controls within each .seigr file. Designed to support scalability, security, and modularity, Seigr Metadata enables a multidimensional view of data, facilitating secure and efficient management across Seigr's distributed network.

Overview[edit]

Seigr Metadata provides a structured, versioned schema that ensures each data capsule within the .seigr file format is self-descriptive, traceable, and compliant with Seigr’s data protocols. This metadata schema supports ethical data practices by embedding access logs, data lineage, and contributor information, thereby ensuring each capsule operates autonomously while adhering to Seigr’s broader ecosystem guidelines.

Core Components of Seigr Metadata[edit]

Seigr Metadata is composed of several interdependent components, each tailored for efficient data handling, modularity, and historical traceability. The primary components are:

File-Level Metadata: Contains global attributes and lifecycle details for the entire data capsule.
Segment Metadata: Attributes specific to individual data segments within a .seigr file, supporting granular access and multidimensional data referencing.
Access Context: Tracks usage patterns, access frequency, and demand-based replication controls.
Temporal Layers: Records time-stamped snapshots of a capsule’s state, enabling historical rollbacks and adaptive replication.
Lineage Tracking: Logs each capsule’s lineage across multiple contributors, creating a decentralized data history.

Metadata Structure[edit]

The metadata schema is implemented through Protocol Buffers, a serialization format that ensures lightweight, versioned, and extensible metadata across nodes in the Seigr ecosystem. Each .seigr file contains both file-level and segment-level metadata in serialized Protobuf format, ensuring compatibility and efficiency.

1. File-Level Metadata[edit]

File-level metadata encapsulates global properties of each .seigr capsule. It provides essential information, such as the file creator, version, file hash, and temporal indexing. File-level metadata is defined in the FileMetadata structure, which contains the following fields:

Version: Defines the protocol version for backward compatibility and schema evolution. Current versions include 1.0 and 1.1, with planned support for additional fields.
Creator ID: A unique identifier for the file creator, enabling attribution and accountability within the network.
Original Filename and Extension: Records the name and file type of the original data, useful for decoding and contextual reference.
File Hash: A primary integrity hash of the complete file content, generated using HyphaCrypt.
Total Segments: Indicates the number of segments the file has been divided into, ensuring the decoder can accurately reassemble the original data.

2. Segment Metadata[edit]

Each .seigr capsule is divided into segments, with each segment carrying its own set of attributes. Segment metadata is defined in the SegmentMetadata structure, capturing properties at a granular level to support decentralized management and efficient retrieval:

Segment Index: Identifies the segment’s position in the sequence of the .seigr file, allowing precise ordering during reassembly.
Segment Hash: A unique identifier hash computed for each segment, providing a basis for non-linear retrieval and tamper detection.
Timestamp: Logs the creation time of each segment in ISO format, supporting historical analysis and verification.
Primary and Secondary Links: Each segment stores primary hash links for direct retrieval and secondary links for adaptive, multi-path retrieval within the Seigr network.
4D Coordinate Index: Provides spatial (x, y, z) and temporal (t) coordinates, allowing segments to be referenced within Seigr’s four-dimensional indexing system.

Access Context[edit]

The Access Context is an integral part of Seigr Metadata, designed to manage data access patterns, replication thresholds, and demand-based scaling. Stored as part of each capsule's metadata, the Access Context provides dynamic controls for replication and scaling based on usage metrics. Key attributes in the Access Context include:

Access Count: Tracks the total number of accesses, allowing the network to dynamically adjust replication levels based on demand.
Last Accessed: Logs the most recent access timestamp, supporting time-based scaling and load balancing.
Node Access History: Records the list of nodes that have accessed the capsule, enabling decentralized tracking and enhanced security.

Temporal Layers[edit]

Temporal Layers enable each .seigr capsule to maintain a historical record of its state changes. This feature supports Seigr’s rollback, replication, and adaptive retrieval functionalities by tracking past states and snapshots:

Layer Timestamp: Records the timestamp for each snapshot, marking critical data states over time.
Layer Hash: A unique hash computed for each temporal layer, confirming the integrity of each state snapshot.
Segment Snapshots: Each temporal layer includes a snapshot of relevant segments, preserving the data structure and metadata at the point of the layer’s creation.

Temporal Layers are managed by the Temporal Layering module, which supports data evolution and secure historical reference within Seigr's ecosystem. By maintaining a log of past states, capsules can be restored to previous configurations if integrity threats are detected, enhancing resilience and security.

Lineage Tracking[edit]

Seigr Metadata includes robust lineage tracking to record each capsule’s history of contributions, modifications, and pings across the network. The lineage component logs each interaction with a .seigr file, creating an immutable record of the capsule’s journey across nodes:

Action: Description of the action performed (e.g., "created", "modified", "replicated").
Contributor ID: Unique identifier of the contributor performing the action, ensuring transparency and ethical accountability.
Previous Hashes: A list of previous hashes linked to the capsule, allowing non-linear data tracing and historical reconstruction.
Metadata: Additional metadata associated with each lineage entry, such as permissions, access control, and contributor attributes.

Lineage tracking is implemented through the Lineage and LineageEntry structures, supporting Seigr’s ethical data management goals and allowing users to trace a data capsule’s modifications over time.

Metadata Validation[edit]

The Seigr Metadata system includes built-in validation mechanisms to ensure metadata integrity and consistency. Validation occurs during both the encoding and decoding phases, verifying that each capsule’s metadata conforms to protocol specifications and remains compatible with current schema versions. Key validation checks include:

Schema Compliance: Confirms that metadata adheres to the expected Protocol Buffers structure for each version.
Hash Integrity: Each segment hash is recomputed and compared against the stored hash, ensuring that no tampering or data corruption has occurred.
Version Compatibility: Validates that the .seigr file’s version is compatible with the current protocol version, supporting seamless backward compatibility.

Adaptive Replication and Access Control[edit]

The Access Context and replication parameters within Seigr Metadata enable dynamic, demand-based replication across the network. This adaptive replication strategy is managed by the Adaptive Replication module, which interacts with metadata attributes to determine when and where additional replicas are needed:

Replication Thresholds: The network dynamically adjusts replication counts based on access frequency, ensuring popular capsules are more widely replicated.
Access Control: Node access logs within the Access Context enable fine-grained control, allowing or restricting access based on historical interactions.
Demand Scaling: Capsules with high access counts are automatically prioritized for replication, ensuring they remain accessible under high demand.

Security and Integrity[edit]

Seigr Metadata is designed with built-in security features that enhance data integrity, accountability, and traceability across the network:

HyphaCrypt Encryption: Metadata fields like File Hash and Segment Hash are encrypted using HyphaCrypt for tamper resistance and security.
Adaptive Threat Detection: Each capsule’s Access Context integrates with the Immune System to monitor access patterns and detect anomalies, triggering replication or rollback if integrity issues are identified.
Tamper-Resistant Lineage Logs: Lineage tracking ensures that each contributor’s actions are recorded, creating an immutable record of capsule modifications for ethical accountability.

Metadata Lifecycle and Evolution[edit]

As capsules evolve, Seigr Metadata facilitates version control, schema expansion, and backward compatibility. This enables capsules to adapt to new requirements without disrupting the network:

Versioned Schema: Each metadata schema is versioned, ensuring that new fields can be added without breaking compatibility with older versions.
Backward Compatibility: Capsules created with previous protocol versions are automatically recognized, allowing older .seigr files to function seamlessly within updated networks.
Schema Evolution: The protocol accommodates gradual schema changes, allowing additional fields to be incorporated as Seigr’s network requirements evolve.

Metadata Management Tools[edit]

Seigr includes several management tools within its ecosystem to support metadata generation, validation, and modification:

Metadata Manager: The Metadata Manager class handles metadata generation, validation, and serialization for each capsule.
Seigr Cluster Manager: Manages capsule clusters, organizing capsules based on their metadata and facilitating retrieval across multiple nodes.
Temporal Layer Management: The Temporal Layering module manages historical snapshots, allowing capsules to maintain integrity across multiple states.

Conclusion[edit]

Seigr Metadata is a robust framework that supports the decentralized, ethical, and resilient management of .seigr files. Its versioned, adaptive, and multidimensional structure enables each capsule to function autonomously while remaining an integral part of Seigr’s larger ecosystem. By embedding lineage, replication, and access control features within each capsule’s metadata, Seigr enables secure, traceable, and scalable data management in a decentralized environment.

For further technical exploration, see also: