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# What is Mycelium Network?

Mycelium is an **IPv6 overlay network** that creates secure, encrypted connections between your devices anywhere in the world.

Think of it as your own private internet layer - but without the complexity of VPNs, port forwarding, or NAT traversal.

## How It Works

Mycelium creates a **peer-to-peer mesh network** where:

- 🌐 Each device gets its own unique IPv6 address
- 🔐 All traffic is automatically encrypted end-to-end
- 🚀 Smart routing finds the fastest path between devices
- 🔄 Network adapts automatically as devices join or leave

No central servers. No configuration complexity. Just secure connectivity.

## Why Use Mycelium?

### 🌍 Global Connectivity

Connect devices across the world as if they were on the same local network:
- Home server to laptop while traveling
- Multiple offices without complicated VPN setups
- IoT devices across different locations
- Development environments and remote services

### 🔒 Secure by Default

- **End-to-end encryption** - Traffic is encrypted between devices
- **No trust required** - No central authority can intercept
- **Automatic security** - No manual key exchange needed
- **Private by design** - Only you control your network

### 🚀 Smart & Fast

- **Automatic routing** - Finds optimal paths
- **NAT traversal** - Works behind firewalls
- **Resilient** - Routes around failures
- **Low overhead** - Minimal performance impact

### 📱 Cross-Platform & Easy to Use

Easy-to-use apps for most platforms:
- **iOS** - App Store
- **Android** - Google Play
- **macOS** - App Store
- **Windows** - Desktop app
- **Linux** - Command-line (for advanced users)

## Common Use Cases

### Remote Access

Access your home server or services from anywhere without opening ports or configuring complex VPNs.

```bash
# At home: Run Mycelium on your server
# Address: 5c4:c176:bf44:b2ab:5e7e:f6a:b7e2:11ca

# Traveling: Access your server via its Mycelium address
ssh user@5c4:c176:bf44:b2ab:5e7e:f6a:b7e2:11ca
```

### Private Networks

Create secure connections between multiple locations:
- Link office networks
- Connect distributed teams
- Secure IoT deployments
- Private cloud infrastructure

### Development & Testing

Build distributed applications with real-world networking:
- Test across geographic locations
- Develop P2P applications
- Simulate network topologies
- Remote debugging

### ThreeFold Grid Access

Connect to services on the ThreeFold Grid:
- Access deployed workloads
- Manage your infrastructure
- Use decentralized services
- Build on the grid

## Key Features

| Feature | Benefit |
|---------|---------|
| **Zero Configuration** | Works out of the box |
| **IPv6 Native** | Future-proof addressing |
| **P2P Mesh** | No single point of failure |
| **Automatic Encryption** | Secure without complexity |
| **NAT Traversal** | Works behind firewalls |
| **Smart Routing** | Optimal path selection |
| **Low Latency** | Direct connections when possible |
| **Cross-Platform** | Run anywhere |

## How Is It Different?

### vs Traditional VPNs

- ✅ **No central server** - Peer-to-peer mesh
- ✅ **Automatic routing** - No manual configuration
- ✅ **Lower latency** - Direct connections
- ✅ **Simpler setup** - Just run and connect

### vs Other Overlay Networks

- ✅ **IPv6 native** - Not limited to IPv4 address space
- ✅ **Production ready** - Used in ThreeFold infrastructure
- ✅ **Active development** - Continuous improvements
- ✅ **Open source** - Transparent and auditable

## Architecture Overview

```
┌──────────────┐      Encrypted Tunnel      ┌──────────────┐
│   Device A   │◄────────────────────────────►│   Device B   │
│ Mycelium IP  │      Over Internet          │ Mycelium IP  │
└──────────────┘                             └──────────────┘
       │                                            │
       └────────────── Mesh Network ───────────────┘
                   (via Public Peers)
```

- Devices run Mycelium daemon
- Connect to public or private peers
- Build encrypted tunnels automatically
- Route traffic efficiently

## Getting Started

Ready to try Mycelium? It's super easy:

1. **[Install Mycelium](/mycelium-network/install)** - Download the app for your device
2. **[Quick Start](/mycelium-network/quick-start)** - Connect in under 5 minutes

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### 💡 Super Simple!

**iPhone/Android users**: Just download from App Store or Google Play, open the app, and tap Start!

**Windows/Mac users**: Download the app, install, and click Start!

**Linux users**: Command-line installation available.

</div>

## Resources

- **Documentation**: [Mycelium Guide](https://threefoldtech.github.io/www_myceliumguide/)
- **Source Code**: [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/threefoldtech/mycelium)
- **Community**: [ThreeFold Telegram](https://t.me/threefoldfarmers)
- **Forum**: [forum.threefold.io](https://forum.threefold.io)

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:::tip Next Step
Install Mycelium on your system: **[Installation Guide](/mycelium-network/install)**
:::