Once discovery is successful, nodes can have peer-to-peer communications over the LACNet Networks based on Hyperledger Besu. Communication consists in sending and receiving messages between nodes. For data transfer, Besu protocol relies on the RLPx Protocol. RLPx enables nodes to transfer encrypted and serialized data through encrypted multiplexed messaging.

This protocol leverages Elliptic Curve Integrated Encryption Scheme (ECIES) to establish secure communications between nodes using public key infrastructure and elliptic curve cryptography. After the handshake, both nodes send to each other which protocols and which versions of these protocols they support: The Ethereum protocol is “eth”, the Ethereum’s Whisper protocol is “shh”, and the Light Ethereum Node Subprotocol is “les”. The subsequent messages are dependent on the protocol chosen.