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Glossary

ZeroTier​

ZeroTier is a software application and service that allows you to create and manage virtual software-defined networks. It is a client application that enables devices such as PCs, phones, servers and embedded devices to securely connect to peer-to-peer virtual networks. You can download it here. ZeroTier One refers to the client application that you install on your computer.

Node​

A physical device or virtual machine instance running ZeroTier (For instance, a laptop, a raspberry pi, or a database server in the cloud). Nodes can also be applications if you link ZeroTier into your code using the Socket API. Depending on the context a node can sometimes be referred to as a device or a peer.

Network​

Usually this is refers to a ZeroTier Virtual Network. It is what your nodes join. In order for two nodes to talk they need to join the same network. See the Getting Started for more info on how to set up your first network.

Peer​

A remote ZeroTier node that your local node is communicating with. Either as a LEAF role (laptop, server, vm, etc) or a PLANET role (root server). To see your peers, use the client CLI.

Node ID​

Also known as Node Address or Device ID depending on the context. It is a unique 40-bit hexadecimal identifier assigned to each ZeroTier node.

Root Server​

A part of ZeroTier infrastructure. A root server (sometimes just called a root) orchestrates the direct connection between two devices and will sometimes relay traffic if a direct connection cannot be established. Typically hosted and configured by ZeroTier, Inc., but can be self-hosted. See self-hosting for more info.

Planet file​

A signed configuration file that ZeroTier uses to know which root servers to use. By default ZeroTier uses our root servers and gets a copy of the most current planet file automatically. Sometimes this may be referred to as a world file.

Network Controller​

A part of ZeroTier infrastructure. Typically hosted and configured by ZeroTier, Inc. it is an instance of ZeroTier that manages network memberships, rules, and configurations for a ZeroTier network. When you join a ZeroTier network your node will request membership from a specific controller. See controller for more info.

Moon​

Since the data center we inhabit is the planet, a user-defined set of roots is called a moon. When a node "orbits" a moon, it adds the moon's roots to its root server set. Nodes orbiting moons will still use planetary roots, but they'll use the moon's roots if they look faster or if nothing else is available. Moons are deprecated but you can learn more about them here.

Planet​

A set of root servers that form ZeroTier's connection backplane. ZeroTier, Inc. runs a gobally-distributed set of root servers that your nodes will use by default.

6PLANE​

A ZeroTier IPv6 addressing scheme that you can apply to your virtual network. Read more here

RFC4193​

A standard defining IPv6 address allocation for private networks, this can be used on your ZeroTier virtual network. Read more here

RFC4193 addresses are not globally routable. They fall within an address range known as Unique Local Addresses (ULA). This is similar to the private IPV4 address ranges like 10.0.0.0/8 and 192.168.0.0/16

Earth​

Earth or 8056c2e21c000001 was a test network operated by ZeroTier, Inc., it was decommissioned in 2023 and is no longer joinable.

Virtual Network Port​

Analogous to a physical network port where you'd plug in an Ethernet cable. A virtual network port is what ZeroTier creates on your computer so that applications can send and receive traffic on a ZeroTier virtual network. This is different than a port number.

Virtual Backplane​

A software-defined network layer that connects nodes as if they were on the same physical switch. Think of it as if everything was on the same Local Area Network (LAN) no matter where it was located in the world.

Network ID​

A unique 16-digit hexadecimal identifier for a ZeroTier virtual network. See how to use it to join a node to a network here.

Device​

A physical or virtual machine running ZeroTier. Depending on the context a device can sometimes be referred to as a node or a peer.

Network Membership​

The relationship between a node and a ZeroTier network, including permissions and configurations. A network membership certificate is automatically generated and sent to a node when it is authorized onto a ZeroTier virtual network.

User​

An individual who manages or interacts with ZeroTier networks.

Admin​

A user with elevated permissions to configure and manage ZeroTier networks.

Rules Engine​

Traffic on ZeroTier networks can be observed and controlled with a system of globally applied network rules (similar to ACLs). These are enforced in a distributed fashion by both the senders and the receivers of packets. Read more about them here.