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System Architecture

Xatu consists of multiple components that work together to provide comprehensive Ethereum network monitoring. Each component serves a specific purpose and can be deployed independently or as part of the complete system.

Architecture Overview​

The components interact as shown in this simplified diagram:

             ┌───────────┐
             │ CONSENSUS │
             │P2P NETWORK│
             └─────▲─────┘
                   │
      ┌────────────┘─────────────┐
      │                          │
┌─────▲─────┐              ┌─────▲─────┐       ┌───────────┐
│ CONSENSUS │              │ ARMIARMA  │       │ EXECUTION │
│   CLIENT  ◄─────┐        │           │       │P2P NETWORK│
└─────▲─────┘     │        └─────▲─────┘       └─────▲─────┘
      │           │              │             ┌─────┘───────┐
      │           │              │             │             │
  ┌───▼────┐ ┌────▼─────┐  ┌─────▼─────┐ ┌─────▼─────┐ ┌─────▼─────┐
  │  XATU  │ │   XATU   │  │   XATU    │ │   XATU    │ │   XATU    │
  │ SENTRY │ │  CANNON  │  │   SAGE    │ │  MIMICRY  │ │ DISCOVERY │
  └───┬────┘ └─────┬────┘  └─────┬─────┘ └─────┬─────┘ └─────┬─────┘
      │            │             │             │             │
      │            │             │             │             │
      │       ┌────▼─────┐       │             │             │
      └───────►          ◄───────┘─────────────┘─────────────┘
              │   XATU   │
              │  SERVER  │    ┌─────────────┐
              │          ◄────► PERSISTENCE │
              │          │    └─────────────┘
              └─────┬────┘
                    │
                    │
                    ▼
              DATA PIPELINE

Component Descriptions​

Xatu Server​

The centralized server that collects events from various clients and outputs them to various sinks:

  • Role: Central hub for data collection and processing
  • Features:
    • Data normalization and transformation
    • Filtering capabilities
    • Management of persistence and data pipelines
    • Support for multiple output destinations
  • Use Cases: Core component for any Xatu deployment, essential for aggregation

Xatu Sentry​

A client that collects data from Ethereum consensus clients via the Beacon API:

  • Role: Consensus layer monitoring
  • Features:
    • Connects to existing consensus clients via HTTP
    • Subscribes to beacon chain events (attestations, blocks, etc.)
    • Collects validator activities
    • Real-time metrics gathering
  • Use Cases: Monitoring validator operations, consensus layer analysis

Xatu Discovery​

A client that uses network discovery protocols to map the Ethereum network:

  • Role: Network topology mapping
  • Features:
    • Implements Discovery Protocol v5 and v4
    • Attempts connections to execution layer nodes
    • Collects node metadata (client type, version, etc.)
    • Geographic distribution information
  • Use Cases: Network health monitoring, client diversity analysis

Xatu Mimicry​

A client that collects data from the execution layer P2P network:

  • Role: Execution layer monitoring
  • Features:
    • Acts as an execution layer node
    • Monitors transaction propagation
    • Captures network behavior
    • Collects execution layer metrics
  • Use Cases: Transaction analysis, network performance evaluation

Xatu Cannon​

A client that collects canonical finalized data from consensus clients:

  • Role: Historical data collection
  • Features:
    • Focuses on finalized block data
    • Collects historical chain data
    • Gathers canonical state information
    • Provides data consistency checks
  • Use Cases: Long-term analysis, historical data archiving

Deployment Scenarios​

Xatu components can be deployed in various configurations depending on monitoring needs:

Minimal Deployment​

  • Xatu Server + Xatu Sentry
  • Suitable for basic validator monitoring

Network Research​

  • All components
  • Provides comprehensive network visibility

Transaction Monitoring​

  • Xatu Server + Xatu Mimicry
  • Focuses on transaction propagation and mempool analysis

Client Diversity Tracking​

  • Xatu Server + Xatu Discovery
  • Tracks client implementations across the network

Further Information​

For more detailed information on each component, check the Xatu GitHub repository.