how to wire three diodes into a fault-tolerant 3-node network
1 What you're building
Three diodes, three nodes (A, B, C), every node bridged to every other (AB, AC, BC). Depending on diode orientation you get one of two useful machines: a one-way ring (circulation) or a full two-way mesh (every node talks to every node directly). Both are built from the same three parts; the orientation decides the behavior.
2 Wiring notes
RING (circulation):
all 3 diodes same direction
A --|>-- B --|>-- C --|>-- A
current goes ONE WAY around the loop
-> a token ring: signal circulates, taps at A/B/C
MESH (full two-way):
each bridge = a diode pair (anti-parallel) OR a 2-way link
A <=> B, A <=> C, B <=> C
every node reaches every other DIRECTLY
-> no node is a bottleneck; lose one bridge, still connected
COUNT: 3 nodes + 3 bridges x 2 ports = 9 elements
3 Why three (the engineering reason)
Two nodes is one link — lose it and you're partitioned, no backup. Three fully-meshed is the minimum fault-tolerant network: every pair has a direct line AND a two-hop backup through the third node. Lose any one bridge and everyone can still reach everyone. That's why 3 is the floor for any network that has to survive a single failure — it's the smallest ring with redundancy, the smallest mesh with no bottleneck.
4 What it's good for
▸ Token ring (one-way)
Signal circulates one direction; each node taps in/out as it passes. Classic ring-bus topology — the diodes enforce direction, no backflow between stations.
▸ Fault-tolerant 3-node cluster (mesh)
Three peers, each directly connected to both others. Minimum quorum for consensus (2 of 3), minimum mesh that survives one link loss. The shape of a 3-node distributed system.
▸ Three-phase analogue
Three elements, 120° apart, balanced — the topology echoes 3-phase power: three legs, each referenced to the other two, no neutral needed. Three is the minimum for self-balancing rotation.
▸ Tap router
One-way circulation with A/B/C as on/off ramps — signal enters at any node, rides the ring, exits at any other. A 3-way directional router.
5 Build checklist
[ ] 3 diodes (or 6 for full anti-parallel mesh)
[ ] decide: ring (all same dir) or mesh (anti-parallel pairs)
[ ] 3 nodes A/B/C, each a tap point
[ ] verify: every node reaches every other (diameter 1)
[ ] verify: lose any 1 bridge -> still connected (fault tolerance)
[ ] label ports: 3 in, 3 out = 6 ports
[ ] total element check: 3 + 6 = 9
GREEN PAPER GP-01 · BUILD & WIRING · THE THREE-BODY MESH
RING = ONE-WAY CIRCULATION · MESH = FULL TWO-WAY · 3 = MINIMUM FAULT-TOLERANT NETWORK
SERIES E · ONE OF FIVE ANGLES (WHITE · GREEN · PURPLE · BLUEPRINT · VOID)