Step 2: Network and State Discovery

After connecting to seed anchors, the next step involves retrieving the network’s current state and active membership list.

· State Retrieval:

Once a node is connected, it queries the network for the latest “accepted frontier,” which is a record of the most recent validated state transitions. For a blockchain, this is the latest accepted block, while for a DAG, it’s the set of final vertices without descendants. Nodes determine the latest valid state by aggregating responses from multiple seed anchors to establish a majority-approved state, ensuring they have the most accurate and recent view of the network.

· Synchronizing State:

Using the majority of anchors as a reference, the node then syncs with the sampled nodes to obtain the full current state. As long as there is a majority of correct nodes among the anchors, the node can successfully retrieve the true network state.

· Network Membership Discovery:

The validator chain, a key part of the Gee network structure, contains information about the current validators. By syncing with this chain, nodes can obtain an up-to-date list of all validators on the network. This process ensures that nodes understand who is actively validating and participating in consensus.