The Amalgam

 

A distributed data network established by the Homeworld Confederacy and adopted by other human states; the Amalgam is a holistic collection of information contained within the databases of human starships, installations, and planetary data hubs.  This database is constantly and automatically updated by interstellar vessels and data-couriers, and represents the primary mode of information transfer and communication between individuals located in separate star systems; whereby messages and files with a particular destination are routed to their destination within the Amalgam uplink drive aboard starships with the destination in their itinerary.  Upon reaching new systems, Amalgam data including news, messages, and file updates are automatically registered and uploaded via the Amalgam links within range; allowing all ships present to carry the most up-to-date Amalgam database available to that system.

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Amalgam Hubs

When information is distributed throughout the Amalgam network, it eventually reaches datahubs founded in high-traffic systems such as Skyshield, Naeman, and Cerulean.  The information contained within these hubs is considered the most-up-to-date, and is automatically scrubbed by advanced algorithms for malicious code.  Core database updates received by data hubs is also often cross-referenced from multiple incoming sources before being officially incorporated into the network and distributed via the Amalgam uplinks of visiting vessels or specially outfitted data-couriers.

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Security Vulnerabilities

As a distributed network that is broadcast to potentially millions of vessels; highly sensitive information can be in danger when transmitted via the Amalgam.  While outgoing files have a limited capacity to restrict which recipients they are uplinked to, and files can be distributed with a security cypher that restrict access to only privileged systems; these security measures can be overcome, resulting in databreach.

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Malicious software can also be potentially distributed via the network; and while Amalgam subsystems are almost always entire divorced from function ship firmware, particularly paranoid ship captains often restrict automatic Amalgam updates to prevent potential cyber attack by incoming infected files.  Such code is usually scrubbed by advanced security algorithms at datahubs which, when detected, broadcast clean versions of affected files throughout the entire network as quickly as they can be transferred between travelling vessels.

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Analogues​

While the Amalgam limited in its use to human and human-adjacent star systems, the Khariphesh Temple maintains a similarly distributed database throughout their temple complexes that is utilized by most Pride starships, and maintained by data-couriers provided via tithe.

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While information is sparse; it is theorized that the Ativari Conclave use a significantly more esoteric system of poorly-understood superluminal communication potentially similar in function to the action of the Volucrid ansibular gangion.