RobinNet is a lightweight store-and-forward messaging network designed for:

• local networks
• mesh networks
• low-bandwidth packet radio links
• emergency communications
• preparedness infrastructure

Each node stores messages locally and synchronizes them with peer nodes.

RobinNet was designed with these principles:

• low bandwidth friendly
• resilient networking
• offline capable
• store-and-forward messaging
• simple architecture
• easy auditing

Nodes can run on:

• Raspberry Pi
• Linux servers
• home lab machines
• field deployments

A RobinNet node contains:

• SQLite message database
• HTTP API server
• synchronization engine
• optional background daemon

Nodes exchange messages using a lightweight HTTP protocol.

Typical operator workflow:

1. initialize node
2. add peers
3. test peer connectivity
4. post bulletins
5. synchronize nodes
6. inspect messages and trace history

Example:

python -m robinnet.cli --db ./data/alpha.db init-node --name alpha --operator "Rich"
python -m robinnet.cli --db ./data/alpha.db add-peer --name bravo --url http://127.0.0.1:8082
python -m robinnet.cli --db ./data/alpha.db peer-test --peer-id 1
python -m robinnet.cli --db ./data/alpha.db post-bulletin --title "Test" --body "Hello"
python -m robinnet.cli --db ./data/alpha.db sync-all

Future development includes:

• Cardinal graphical interface
• packet radio transport layer
• mesh networking integration
• moderation tools
• node discovery
• optional encryption

Cardinal will be the future graphical interface for RobinNet.

Goals:

• friendly node management
• peer monitoring
• message browsing
• sync visualization
• network status

Cardinal will communicate with RobinNet using the API.