Features

DaaS® (Data as a Service) is a communication protocol for creating self-organizing overlay-mesh networks that leverage existing infrastructures to deliver global connectivity and advanced services. It redefines ISO-OSI layers 1-4, providing routing, buffering, timing, and security. A prototype, LibDaas (in C), is available for multiple platforms. Each network node includes a software layer that enhances existing networking services.

Overlay Network

An overlay network is a software-defined abstraction layer built on top of a physical network (underlay), enabling multiple virtualized networks to operate on the same physical infrastructure. The underlay includes physical resources, devices, and transport protocols, while the overlay uses software technologies and logical models to virtualize access to these resources.

This approach allows flexible service distribution based on application and endpoint connectivity needs, isolating them from the constraints of the physical infrastructure. Overlay networks provide significant advantages in resilience, flexibility, and adaptability; however, they introduce maintenance overhead and consume additional bandwidth, potentially reducing overall data transfer capacity.

To optimize efficiency and minimize the overhead introduced by the DaaS overlay layer, a new data encapsulation mechanism is used, featuring variable-size, variable-meaning headers. Data is encapsulated into DaaS Data Object (DDO) packets, which exist in two variants: system-ddo and user-ddo. For inter-node transfers, these are extended into DaaS-Message (DME) packets, available in three types: dme-transfer, dme-control, and dme-service. The combined DME + DDO header occupies a maximum of 32 bytes, ensuring adaptability even with constrained underlay protocols.

The overlay operates with self-organization: the first active node defines the configuration, while subsequent nodes automatically align, forming a topology that is dynamic, resilient, and adaptable to heterogeneous environments. This model leverages available host channels and enforces connection parameters for reliability, efficiency, and security.

Mesh Topology

The DaaS technology extends the flexibility of mesh networks by introducing an additional variable: the heterogeneity of transport technologies.
In a traditional wireless mesh network, the topology is flexible because each node can act as a router, enabling indirect communication between nodes that are not directly connected.
With DaaS, each node not only performs routing functions but also acts as a multi-technology gateway, enabling communication between nodes using different communication interfaces.
A DaaS-based mesh network allows point-to-point connections between nodes through heterogeneous transport technologies.
For example: from node A to node B via Wi-Fi, from node B to node C via LoRaNet, and so on.
Nodes communicate via direct links or through other nodes that forward packets across network segments. This mesh design guarantees resilience and avoids single points of failure. Nodes act as autonomous agents executing adaptive logic to maintain optimal conditions, supporting dynamic protocol switching for IoT and distributed systems.

For further information, please refer to Why should you use DaaS-IoT section.