I wanted to share a diagram of Polkadot’s current architecture. This diagram is free for anyone to use. I also explain what Polkadot really is, as, in my personal opinion, it has never been properly explained. To do so, I introduce some new terminology. I hope you like it.
The core of Polkadot is the Polkadot Network Engine (PNE). This central component is the active infrastructure responsible for unifying global consensus, guaranteeing cryptographic security, and orchestrating cross-chain communication across the entire ecosystem, all backed by an internal blockchain ledger.
Currently, Polkadot uses its first version of the Polkadot Network Engine (PNE), known —or, in my opinion, somewhat misleadingly named— as the Relay Chain. The second version of the PNE, currently under development, is called JAM. In the future, new versions will continue to optimize the network’s functionality. They may even incorporate ZK (Zero-Knowledge) technologies, but we will see what the future holds.
The main system we can access within Polkadot is composed of different components, each designed to perform a specific function. For example, Polkadot Hub makes it easy to deploy and execute smart contracts.
The recent development of the Product SDK provides a more user-friendly way to access these different components, making them easier for developers and users to work with.
Finally, Polkadot provides cores, a fundamental resource of the PNE that allows other networks to leverage Polkadot’s infrastructure.