1. A method of providing management functions in a decentralized network, comprising steps of: associating a persistent node identifier with each of the nodes in the network, such that an identity of the nodes can be resolved even though a current network address assigned to the node upon entering the network may vary from one entry to another; asserting, by a particular node, that it is allowed to perform a management function; and using the persistent node identifier of the particular node to verify whether the particular node is allowed to perform the management function.