Connectivity as an Option, Not a Requirement
The network layer is an optional connectivity subsystem that supports internal network integration without requiring external access. That's a deliberate departure from most enterprise infrastructure, where network connectivity is the baseline assumption and offline operation is the special case.
Architectural Isolation
Network components are separated from the core processing system architecturally — not just by configuration, but by design itself. A network compromise cannot propagate to the Neuronal Core as a result. Where connectivity exists, it serves internal integration purposes — connecting to existing control systems, for example — not the operation of the Neural Core itself.
Air-Gapped as Full Operation, Not a Limitation
Because the network layer is optional, there is no functional difference between a networked and a fully air-gapped SynapSync system. A deployment with no network connection at all isn't a reduced mode — it's the normal case the entire architecture is designed for.