Lightning HTTP 402 Protocol, also called L402, is a strategy to cost for providers and authenticate customers in distributed networks. It combines two highly effective instruments — Macaroons, and naturally, the Lightning Community.
Macaroons are particular tokens used for authentication. They embrace permissions and may be verified utilizing a root key. The documentation states that is necessary for methods the place we wish to keep away from or can’t go about wanting up the validity of every token.
Lightning is a Layer 2 answer for making quick and safe bitcoin funds. L402 leverages the capabilities of Macaroons and Lightning to create a mechanism that permits customers to authenticate and make funds with no need a central database.
In L402, a Macaroon features a cost hash. To be legitimate, the person must current the Macaroon and the preimage similar to the cost hash within the Macaroon. The preimage is obtained by paying a Lightning Community bill.
A newly launched software program known as Aperture acts as a intermediary between the person and the service’s API. It forwards requests with legitimate L402 to the related API endpoint and might challenge new Macaroons and Lightning invoices to new customers.
L402 permits for metered APIs, the place providers can cost for his or her utilization with out requiring logins or passwords. The Macaroon, along with the preimage, ensures that the payer has made the cost.
The L402 specification contains totally different traits such because the model of the Macaroon, a singular person identifier and a cost hash that hyperlinks the Macaroon to the Lightning bill. The Macaroon may embrace caveats that outline entry to particular providers, service capabilities and repair constraints.
When verifying the L402, the server makes use of the basis key to verify that the Macaroon was issued by the suitable authority and that every caveat was correctly amended. The preimage can be verified in opposition to the cost hash to make sure that all excellent invoices have been paid.
In abstract, L402 is a protocol that mixes Macaroons and the Lightning Community to allow charging for providers and authenticating customers. It permits for safe funds and authentication with out counting on a central database. Aperture is a software program that helps deal with the method and permits providers to challenge Macaroons and Lightning Community invoices.