# P2P Config

Here we describe configuration options around the Peer Exchange.

## Seed Mode

`--p2p.seed_mode`

The node operates in seed mode. In seed mode, a node continuously crawls the network for peers,
and upon incoming connection shares some peers and disconnects.

## Seeds

`--p2p.seeds “1.2.3.4:466656,2.3.4.5:4444”`

Dials these seeds when we need more peers. They should return a list of peers and then disconnect.
If we already have enough peers in the address book, we may never need to dial them.

## Persistent Peers

`--p2p.persistent_peers “1.2.3.4:46656,2.3.4.5:466656”`

Dial these peers and auto-redial them if the connection fails.
These are intended to be trusted persistent peers that can help
anchor us in the p2p network.

Note that the auto-redial uses exponential backoff and will give up
after a day of trying to connect.

NOTE: If `seeds` and `persistent_peers` intersect,
the user will be WARNED that seeds may auto-close connections
and the node may not be able to keep the connection persistent.

## Private Persistent Peers

`--p2p.private_persistent_peers “1.2.3.4:46656,2.3.4.5:466656”`

These are persistent peers that we do not add to the address book or
gossip to other peers. They stay private to us.