Gossip Observer: New project to monitor the Lightning P2P network

This tool was designed to monitor, analyze, and persist gossip messages from the Lightning Network, providing valuable insights into the network's dynamics. The empirical data gathered comes from two Core Lightning nodes, named Alice and Bob, operating in their default configurations, which typically involve around ten peers to receive gossip from. Each gossip message appended to the gossip_store file is timestamped and saved into a database, allowing for detailed analysis of the network's behavior over the observed period from January 14, 2026, to February 8, 2026.

One key observation made through this study is the delay between a message’s internal timestamp and the time it actually reached the collector node. This metric is crucial in understanding the propagation lag within the Lightning Network, shedding light on the efficiency of message dissemination across nodes. Additionally, by comparing the unique message sets of the two nodes, Alice and Bob, the study seeks to determine whether both nodes perceive the same network topology or if discrepancies exist in their views. Such comparisons are vital for assessing the consistency and reliability of the gossip protocol in ensuring all nodes have an up-to-date and accurate picture of the network.

Another significant aspect of this research involved tracking the session duration for every peer from which the collector node received gossip messages. This measurement provides insights into the stability and longevity of peer connections within the network, which are essential parameters for evaluating the network's robustness and the effectiveness of its gossip mechanism. By analyzing these session durations, researchers can infer patterns about node availability and the potential impact of node churn on network information flow.

The platform established for this project has proven to be stable and capable of generating meaningful data regarding the Lightning Network's gossip protocol. Its ongoing operation offers a resource for those working on gossip-v2 or synchronization improvements within the Lightning Network. The offer to assist with analyzing this data for specific queries underscores the collaborative spirit within the community, aiming to enhance the network's performance based on empirical evidence and targeted research efforts.