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{{Era|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
{{Disambig header|the Covenant communications network|other uses|Bnet}}
{{Disambig header|the Covenant communications network|other uses|Bnet}}
[[File:Gallery_pic_3447_0_30025.jpg|thumb|300px|The proselytization network communications centre on the {{Pattern|Ceudar|heavy corvette}}, ''[[Ardent Prayer]]''.{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=77}}]]
{{Quote|I've hacked into the Covenant battlenet. They're actually broadcasting tactical data on unencrypted channels. We should show them who they're dealing with.|[[Cortana]] to [[John-117]] on [[Installation 04]].}}
{{Quote|I've hacked into the Covenant battlenet. They're actually broadcasting tactical data on unencrypted channels. We should show them who they're dealing with.|[[Cortana]] to [[John-117]] on [[Installation 04]].}}
 
The '''proselytization network''',{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22}} informally termed the '''Covenant battle network''',{{Ref/Novel|TF|Page=38}} or '''Covenant battle net''',{{Ref/Level|Id=halo|CE|Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo}} or simply the '''battlenet''',{{Ref/Novel|FS|Page=55}} is the term for [[Covenant]] communication systems maintained to allow instantaneous contact between units, vessels and planets. It is the equivalent to the [[human]] [[COM]] systems. Following the defeat of the Covenant, various [[Covenant remnants]] have been shown to use the battle net or modifications of it for their own purposes.
The '''Covenant battle network''',<ref>'''Halo: The Flood''', ''page 38''</ref> often referred to as the '''Covenant battle net''',<ref name="halo">'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[Halo (Halo: Combat Evolved level)|Halo]]''</ref> or simply the '''battlenet''',<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 55''</ref> is the term for [[Covenant]] communication systems maintained to allow instantaneous contact between units, vessels and planets. It is the equivalent to the [[human]] [[COM]] systems.


==Overview==
==Overview==
[[File:H2A High Charity Comm Node.png|150px|thumb|Covenant communications nodes were used to receive information from the proselytization network.]]
In contrast to its [[UNSC]] [[UNSC battle network|counterpart]], proselytization network was used by the Covenant for domestic, religious and military functions - as opposed to the humans' purely military use cases. The system was designed as a top-down tool for use by the [[San'Shyuum]] and [[Sangheili]] leadership on [[High Charity]] to transmit orders down the chain, but not to receive updates from subordinate nodes. Various methods were used across the network to spread its messages, depending on the importance of the message in question. Central leadership on High Charity could use [[superluminal communications]] links to broadcast orders via [[FLEETCOM (Covenant)|FLEETCOM]] to tithe-worlds and [[Covenant fleet|fleets]] directly, with these imperatives modified by local satraps and commanders spread via the use of less sophisticated [[Covenant comm node|comm nodes]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22|Enc22|Page=217}}{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=69}} All star systems inhabited by the Covenant are fitted with regional [[coordination platform]]s - space stations managed by the [[Ministry of Concert]] to serve a variety of functions involved with the managing of the Covenant's day-to-day affairs with their ancillary functions including serving as nodes in the proselytization network.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=224}} The battlenet is standard equipment aboard all Covenant vessels, which have both intra- and inter-ship battlenets.{{Ref/Novel|FS|Page=63}} In the field, [[Scarab]] excavator platforms may occasionally forgo their heavy weaponry systems to instead fit proselytization arrays.{{Ref/Site|Id=WPScarab|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/vehicles/scarab|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Scarab|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}} The {{Pattern|R'ea'kuk|command shuttle}} is equipped with [[capital ship]]-scale proselytization arrays for field command functions.{{Ref/Site|Id=CFLore|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/news/canon-fodder-cutting-room-lore|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Cutting Room Lore|D=26|M=7|Y=2022}}


===Covenant===
As a consequence of their generally lax computer security and its use in civil and military affairs, the proselytization network was often broadcast entirely on unencrypted channels - something able to be employed against the Covenant via the use of human [[artificial intelligence]] systems. These networks could be accessed by even the communications equipment inside a suit of [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V MJOLNIR]] armor, with the AI [[Cortana]] able to access and gain information on Covenant force deployments several times throughout the [[Battle of Installation 04|campaign]] on [[installation 04]].{{Ref/Reuse|halo}}{{Ref/Level|CE|The Truth and Reconciliation}} The chaos introduced into the ranks of the [[Fleet of Particular Justice]] by the [[Flood]] outbreak was sufficient to overload the fleet's network, making it near-impossible to access information through it.{{Ref/Level|CE|Two Betrayals}}
Covenant battle network channels are sometimes broadcast on the same frequencies as the [[UNSC]] [[COM]], but to date, there is no explanation why; given the fact that this would broadcast the communications of both sides and potentially give up plenty of battle plans for the enemy. The Covenant have been known to broadcast their tactical data through unencrypted battlenet channels.{{Ref/Reuse|halo}} The battlenet can be isolated for deep space broadcast, as well as inter-ship and between units. The battlenet is standard equipment aboard all Covenant vessels, which have both intra- and inter-ship battlenets.<ref>'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 63''</ref> It can also be accessed through ground communication equipment such as [[Covenant communication node|communication nodes]].


The Covenant inter-ship battlenet has a curious feature: a system of communicating orders throughout the Covenant fleet. Transmissions carry embedded sub communiques containing orders for ships to various jumps, rendezvouses and tasks. The efficient system allows orders circulating more quickly throughout the Covenant. However, it seems to have poor counter-intrusion security, as AIs like Cortana seem to have no problem in hacking it.
Near the end of the Human-Covenant War, during the [[Battle for Earth]], a [[Quick to Adjust|defected Huragok]] was captured by [[Alpha-Nine|a squad of ODSTs]], and the Huragok agreed to share information in the Covenant battlenet after interrogated by [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Junior Johnson]].{{Ref/Level|ODST|Coastal Highway}} Two days later, the battlenet fell into disarray again, this time following the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s departure through the [[Portal at Voi]] at the close of the [[Battle of Voi]].<ref name="loot2">''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]'', ''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]''</ref>


Through John-117's in-suit communications array, Cortana accessed the Covenant battlenet several times over the [[Battle of Installation 04|Battle of]] [[Installation 04]] in order to gain intelligence. The battlenet was broadcast over all of Installation 04 and by monitoring it, Cortana was able to discern Covenant activity over the ring.{{Ref/Reuse|halo}} Some of the things she was able to find out provided needed answers about the Covenant activity and the nature of the installation.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[The Truth and Reconciliation]]''</ref> Cortana also used it to find the crashed {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} in order to destroy Installation 04. At this point, Cortana mentioned that she was going to search "what's left" of it, indicating that all the chaos threw the battlenet into serious disarray.<ref>'''Halo: Combat Evolved''', campaign level ''[[Two Betrayals]]''</ref> While raiding the ''[[Truth and Reconciliation]]'' a second time, Cortana discovered that the battlenet was in such disarray that she couldn't even bring up ship schematics. As a result, she had to rely on records from the last raid to figure out where to go inside the ship.
===Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction===
[[Sesa 'Refumee]] [[Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction|heretic faction]] had its own battlenet, but the storm approaching the [[Threshold gas mine]] masked the arrival of [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter's]] team and put the Heretics' battlenet into disarray.{{Ref/Level|H2|The Arbiter}}


Near the end of the Human-Covenant War, during the [[Battle for Earth]], a [[Quick to Adjust|defected Huragok]] was captured by [[Alpha-Nine|a squad of ODSTs]], and the Huragok agreed to share information in the Covenant battlenet after interrogated by [[Sergeant Major]] [[Avery Junior Johnson]].<ref>'''Halo 3: ODST''', campaign level ''[[Coastal Highway]]''</ref> Two days later, the battlenet fell into disarray again, this time following the [[Prophet of Truth]]'s departure through the [[Portal at Voi]] at the close of the [[Battle of Voi]].<ref name="loot2">'''[[Halo Legendary Crate]]''', ''[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]''</ref>
===Jul 'Mdama's Covenant===
During the [[Battle of Requiem]] in [[2557#July|July 2557]], Cortana monitored a new battlenet used by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] to learn more about the situation.{{Ref/Game|H4}} During the early stages of the battle, Cortana detected reports of [[Promethean]] resistance on the battlenet while [[John-117]] fought through [[Core of Requiem|Requiem's core]].{{Ref/Level|H4|Forerunner (level)|Forerunner}}


===Jul 'Mdama's Covenant===
During the [[Requiem Campaign]] in [[2558]], Jul 'Mdama's Covenant mainly used one of the [[shield world]]'s Forerunner subnets to communicate rather than their battlenet.<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Didact's Hand/Hairy Call|S104 ''Hairy Call'']]</ref> Later, Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]]'s comm signal was discovered to have bounced off into 'Mdama's battlenet after being traced to "[[Lockup]]."<ref>''Spartan Ops'', [[Key/The Hammer|S109 ''The Hammer'']]</ref>
During the [[Battle of Requiem]] in [[2557#July|July 2557]], Cortana monitored a new battlenet used by [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] to learn more about the situation.<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]'''</ref> During the early stages of the battle, Cortana detected reports of [[Promethean]] resistance on the battlenet while [[John-117]] fought through [[Core of Requiem|Requiem's core]].<ref>'''[[Halo 4]]''', campaign level ''[[Forerunner (level)|Forerunner]]''</ref>


During the [[Requiem Campaign]] in [[2558]], [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant]] mainly used one of the [[shield world]]'s Forerunner subnets to communicate rather than their battlenet.<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Didact's Hand/Hairy Call|S104 ''Hairy Call'']]</ref> Later, Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]]'s comm signal was discovered to have bounced off into 'Mdama's battlenet after being traced to "[[Lockup]]."<ref>'''Spartan Ops''', [[Key/The Hammer|S109 ''The Hammer'']]</ref>
In [[2558#October|October 2558]], while [[Blue Team]] was [[Operation: BIRD IN HAND|on]] ''[[Argent Moon]]'', Jul 'Mdama's battlenet suddenly lit up as a [[Jul 'Mdama's Covenant|Covenant remnant]] fleet arrived at the station, causing the team to change their plan to [[self-destruct|scuttling]] ''Argent Moon''. As the team made their way through the station, they picked up chatter on the battlenet about [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s death in the [[Battle of Kamchatka]].{{Ref/Level|H5|[[Blue Team (level)|Blue Team]]}}


In [[2558#October|October 2558]], while [[Blue Team]] is [[Operation: BIRD IN HAND|on]] ''[[Argent Moon]]'', the Jul 'Mdama's battlenet suddenly lights up as a [[Covenant remnant]] fleet arrives at the station, causing the team to change their plan to [[self-destruct|scuttling]] ''Argent Moon''. As the team makes their way through the station, they pick up chatter on the battlenet about [[Jul 'Mdama]]'s death in the [[Battle of Kamchatka]].<ref>'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''', campaign level ''[[Blue Team (level)|Blue Team]]''</ref>
===Banished===
The [[Banished]] use a modified version of the Covenant battlenet to connect to different [[FOB]]s and important Banished facilities such as [[Outpost Tremonius (location)|Outpost Tremonius]]. After the Master Chief took control of Outpost Tremonius, he inserted [[the Weapon]] into a terminal where she easily removed the location from the Banished system, securing it.{{Ref/Level|Hi|Outpost Tremonius}} After the Master Chief secured each of the UNSC FOBs in the area, the Weapon removed them from the system as well, securing them. Each time an FOB was secured, the Weapon was able to secure data on Banished operations from the battlenet, including major bases and high-value Banished targets.{{Ref/Game|Hi}}


== Covenant battle network frequencies ==
== Covenant battle network frequencies ==
These frequencies are most commonly used by the Covenant, but it seems that they occasionally utilize the UNSC D- and E- Bands.
These frequencies are most commonly used by the Covenant, but it seems that they occasionally utilize the UNSC D- and E- Bands.
*'''Covenant F-Band'''<ref name="ping">'''Halo: First Strike''', ''page 297''</ref>
*'''Covenant F-Band'''{{Ref/Novel|Id=ping|FS|Page=297}}
*'''Covenant G-Band'''{{Ref/Reuse|ping}}
*'''Covenant G-Band'''{{Ref/Reuse|ping}}
*'''Covenant H-Band'''{{Ref/Reuse|ping}}
*'''Covenant H-Band'''{{Ref/Reuse|ping}}
Line 44: Line 47:
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{Mo}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
{{Ref/Sources}}
{{Ref/Sources}}
 
[[Category:Covenant technology]]
[[Category:Communications technology]]
[[Category:Communications technology]]

Latest revision as of 02:53, March 30, 2024

This article is about the Covenant communications network. For other uses, see Bnet.
Promotional image for Halo: Reach featuring the multiplayer map Zealot. From the Halo: Reach press kit.
The proselytization network communications centre on the Ceudar-pattern heavy corvette, Ardent Prayer.[1]

"I've hacked into the Covenant battlenet. They're actually broadcasting tactical data on unencrypted channels. We should show them who they're dealing with."
— Cortana to John-117 on Installation 04.

The proselytization network,[2] informally termed the Covenant battle network,[3] or Covenant battle net,[4] or simply the battlenet,[5] is the term for Covenant communication systems maintained to allow instantaneous contact between units, vessels and planets. It is the equivalent to the human COM systems. Following the defeat of the Covenant, various Covenant remnants have been shown to use the battle net or modifications of it for their own purposes.

Overview[edit]

A Covenant comm node in Halo 2: Anniversary.
Covenant communications nodes were used to receive information from the proselytization network.

In contrast to its UNSC counterpart, proselytization network was used by the Covenant for domestic, religious and military functions - as opposed to the humans' purely military use cases. The system was designed as a top-down tool for use by the San'Shyuum and Sangheili leadership on High Charity to transmit orders down the chain, but not to receive updates from subordinate nodes. Various methods were used across the network to spread its messages, depending on the importance of the message in question. Central leadership on High Charity could use superluminal communications links to broadcast orders via FLEETCOM to tithe-worlds and fleets directly, with these imperatives modified by local satraps and commanders spread via the use of less sophisticated comm nodes.[2][6] All star systems inhabited by the Covenant are fitted with regional coordination platforms - space stations managed by the Ministry of Concert to serve a variety of functions involved with the managing of the Covenant's day-to-day affairs with their ancillary functions including serving as nodes in the proselytization network.[7] The battlenet is standard equipment aboard all Covenant vessels, which have both intra- and inter-ship battlenets.[8] In the field, Scarab excavator platforms may occasionally forgo their heavy weaponry systems to instead fit proselytization arrays.[9] The R'ea'kuk-pattern command shuttle is equipped with capital ship-scale proselytization arrays for field command functions.[10]

As a consequence of their generally lax computer security and its use in civil and military affairs, the proselytization network was often broadcast entirely on unencrypted channels - something able to be employed against the Covenant via the use of human artificial intelligence systems. These networks could be accessed by even the communications equipment inside a suit of Mark V MJOLNIR armor, with the AI Cortana able to access and gain information on Covenant force deployments several times throughout the campaign on installation 04.[4][11] The chaos introduced into the ranks of the Fleet of Particular Justice by the Flood outbreak was sufficient to overload the fleet's network, making it near-impossible to access information through it.[12]

Near the end of the Human-Covenant War, during the Battle for Earth, a defected Huragok was captured by a squad of ODSTs, and the Huragok agreed to share information in the Covenant battlenet after interrogated by Sergeant Major Avery Junior Johnson.[13] Two days later, the battlenet fell into disarray again, this time following the Prophet of Truth's departure through the Portal at Voi at the close of the Battle of Voi.[14]

Sesa 'Refumee's heretic faction[edit]

Sesa 'Refumee heretic faction had its own battlenet, but the storm approaching the Threshold gas mine masked the arrival of the Arbiter's team and put the Heretics' battlenet into disarray.[15]

Jul 'Mdama's Covenant[edit]

During the Battle of Requiem in July 2557, Cortana monitored a new battlenet used by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant to learn more about the situation.[16] During the early stages of the battle, Cortana detected reports of Promethean resistance on the battlenet while John-117 fought through Requiem's core.[17]

During the Requiem Campaign in 2558, Jul 'Mdama's Covenant mainly used one of the shield world's Forerunner subnets to communicate rather than their battlenet.[18] Later, Dr. Catherine Halsey's comm signal was discovered to have bounced off into 'Mdama's battlenet after being traced to "Lockup."[19]

In October 2558, while Blue Team was on Argent Moon, Jul 'Mdama's battlenet suddenly lit up as a Covenant remnant fleet arrived at the station, causing the team to change their plan to scuttling Argent Moon. As the team made their way through the station, they picked up chatter on the battlenet about Jul 'Mdama's death in the Battle of Kamchatka.[20]

Banished[edit]

The Banished use a modified version of the Covenant battlenet to connect to different FOBs and important Banished facilities such as Outpost Tremonius. After the Master Chief took control of Outpost Tremonius, he inserted the Weapon into a terminal where she easily removed the location from the Banished system, securing it.[21] After the Master Chief secured each of the UNSC FOBs in the area, the Weapon removed them from the system as well, securing them. Each time an FOB was secured, the Weapon was able to secure data on Banished operations from the battlenet, including major bases and high-value Banished targets.[22]

Covenant battle network frequencies[edit]

These frequencies are most commonly used by the Covenant, but it seems that they occasionally utilize the UNSC D- and E- Bands.

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 77
  2. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 217
  3. ^ Halo: The Flood, page 38
  4. ^ a b Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level Halo
  5. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 55
  6. ^ Halo: Warfleet, page 69
  7. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 224
  8. ^ Halo: First Strike, page 63
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint, Scarab (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
  10. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Cutting Room Lore (Retrieved on Jul 26, 2022) [archive]
  11. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level The Truth and Reconciliation
  12. ^ Halo: Combat Evolved, campaign level Two Betrayals
  13. ^ Halo 3: ODST, campaign level Coastal Highway
  14. ^ Halo Legendary Crate, Data Drop #2
  15. ^ Halo 2, campaign level The Arbiter
  16. ^ Halo 4
  17. ^ Halo 4, campaign level Forerunner
  18. ^ Spartan Ops, S104 Hairy Call
  19. ^ Spartan Ops, S109 The Hammer
  20. ^ Halo 5: Guardians, campaign level Blue Team
  21. ^ Halo Infinite, campaign level Outpost Tremonius
  22. ^ Halo Infinite
  23. ^ a b c d e f Halo: First Strike, page 297
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