Structure and instances of the METALLIVERSE

METALLIVERSE works in the same way as other platforms in the ‘Fediverse’:

Several individual (so-called) ‘instances’ come together to form a large network.
The METALLIVERSE is set to eventually host 25 instances.
We currently allow a maximum of 3,000 users per instance.
This isn’t set in stone, but it is the planned scale, as we’d rather have 75,000 active users than millions of dormant accounts.

Each instance is hosted separately on its own server. 

• Own instances (servers): Every server on which the Friendica software is installed is called an instance. There are hundreds of such instances worldwide. They are run by individuals, associations or small communities.
  The METALLIVERSE is a self-contained system with no connection to instances outside the METALLIVERSE.

• Your home address: When you register with METALLIVERSE, you select a specific instance.
  Currently, only the ‘metal.metalliverse.de’ instance is available.
  Your profile is stored there and your address looks similar to an email address (e.g. @yourname@instancename.metalliverse.de).

• Cross-instance connectivity: Although you are registered on Server A, you can follow people who are registered on Servers B, C or D. When you post a message, your instance automatically sends it to your followers’ instances.

What’s happening behind the scenes? (Federation)

The interaction between several entities is known as federation and is based on the following building blocks:

1. Uniform language (protocols): METALLIVERSE uses open interfaces – foremost among them the ActivityPub protocol. This means that every METALLIVERSE instance understands the signals from another.

2. Data remains distributed: There is no central database. Each instance stores only the data of its own members, as well as copies of posts from people in other instances whom your local fellow users follow.