Understanding how Bitcoin components interact across network layers
Bitcoin wallets, nodes, and miners operate here. They use the Bitcoin P2P protocol and JSON-RPC to broadcast transactions and blocks.
Not heavily used in Bitcoin. Data formatting and encryption (e.g., TLS) may occur here if wallets use secure APIs.
Session management is minimal in Bitcoin. TCP handles persistent connections between nodes.
Bitcoin uses TCP to ensure reliable transmission of blocks and transactions between nodes.
Nodes use IP addressing to discover and connect to peers. Routing and peer discovery happen here.
Handles framing and MAC-level delivery over Ethernet, Wi-Fi, or other media. Relevant for local transmission.
Miners and nodes rely on physical infrastructure—cables, routers, wireless signals—to connect to the network.