Coordinator Definition
The Coordinator, often referred to as “Coo”, is a node in the IOTA network used to secure the network and prevent double spends during its early stages of development. It issues transactions (known as milestones) at regular intervals, and all other nodes in the network validate their transactions relative to these milestones.
Coordinator Key Points
- The Coordinator is a part of IOTA’s consensus mechanism during its early stage.
- Coo issues transactions known as milestones, against which all other transactions are confirmed.
- The Coordinator’s role is temporary and will be phased out over time as the network matures and reaches a self-sustainable level of decentralization and security.
- Some critics argue that the presence of the Coordinator makes IOTA a centralized system, but its proponents defend it as a necessary measure for early-stage protection.
What is Coordinator?
The Coordinator is a unique aspect of the IOTA protocol and is designed to provide additional security and reliability to the network. As a node in the network, the Coordinator issues transactions, specifically referred to as milestones. These milestones serve as a basis against which all other transactions within the network are confirmed.
When is the Coordinator Used?
The Coordinator was introduced and has been in use since the launch of the IOTA network. The IOTA Foundation, the body behind IOTA’s development and advancement, implemented the Coordinator as a protective mechanism during the early stages of the network’s launch. However, it’s important to note that the Coordinator is a temporary part of IOTA’s architecture.
Where does the Coordinator Operate?
As a central part of the IOTA network, the Coordinator operates within the network itself. It is effectively a special node within the network but, unlike other nodes, it has the ability to issue these special transactions known as milestones.
Why is the Coordinator Necessary?
The Coordinator is necesary to protect the IOTA network from attacks in its early stages. In specific, it greatly mitigates the risk of double-spend attacks, and ensures the fairness of the consensus process. The Coordinator does this by issuing milestones against which all other transactions need to be validated.
How Does the Coordinator Work?
The Coordinator functions by issuing a milestone transaction on the network at regular intervals. These milestones, serving as an existing point of reference, help validate and secure all other transactions on the network by acting as a form of checkpoint. For a transaction to be considered confirmed, it must directly or indirectly reference one of these milestones.
Over time, as the IOTA network becomes more populated and self-sustained, the Coordinator will eventually be removed in a process known as “Coordicide”. This is seen as a desirable phase for the IOTA network, marking the point of true decentralization and maturity.
