Kolonet

Kolonet is a term used to describe a distributed communication framework intended for scalable, resilient device networks. It defines a modular protocol stack that supports device discovery, dynamic routing, secure messaging, and data serialization. Kolonet is characterized by its emphasis on decentralized operation, mesh connectivity, and fault tolerance.

The architecture generally consists of core layers: a transport layer that can operate over multiple underlying networks; a routing layer that supports both structured and unstructured topologies; a data plane for encoding and compression; and a security layer that provides mutual authentication and encrypted channels.

Applications include industrial automation, smart infrastructure, and collaborative robotics, where many devices must exchange small messages with low latency even in partially connected networks. The design aims to reduce dependence on central servers and enable local decision-making.

History and status: The term has appeared in technical papers and open-source projects as a design concept rather than a single official standard. Various groups have proposed implementations with differing features, e.g., optional encryption, access control, and plug-in data formats. There is no single governing body or canonical specification for Kolonet, leading to multiple interoperable but non-identical implementations.