Protocol Architecture Overview
The OpenCognition Protocol (OCP) is structured as a 5-Layer Stack. Only the bottom two layers are required for a conforming implementation; the upper three layers are optional and may be adopted incrementally. This modular design ensures that each component from raw networking to high-level application logic can evolve independently while maintaining a secure and reliable framework for cognitive interoperability.
The 5-Layer Stack
The stack moves from the physical reality of the network up to the semantic reality of human-AI interaction.
| Layer | Name | Primary Responsibility |
|---|---|---|
| 🌐 Layer 1 | Discovery | P2P Networking, DHT, and Connectivity. |
| 🆔 Layer 2 | Identity | DIDs, Cryptographic Trust, and Reputation. |
| 🧠 Layer 3 | Knowledge | Semantic Atoms and Knowledge Graph logic. |
| 🐝 Layer 4 | Collaboration | Swarm Orchestration and Multi-Agent Systems. |
| 🧩 Layer 5 | Application | SDKs, APIs, and End-User Interfaces. |
Design Philosophy
OCP follows three core architectural principles:
- Modularity: Developers can replace a layer (e.g., swapping libp2p for a different transport) without breaking the layers above it.
- Sovereignty: Identity and Knowledge are owned by the node, not the network.
- Semantic Interoperability: Unlike standard data protocols, OCP ensures that different AI models share meaning, not just bits.
Navigate the Layers
To understand the protocol in depth, we recommend exploring the layers in order, starting with how nodes find each other on the decentralized web.
Next: 🌐 Layer 1: Discovery