Dynamic Consensus Node Addition in Blockchain Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing blockchain systems face challenges in dynamically adding consensus nodes without downtime or business suspension, leading to low performance and high computational costs due to state machine replication.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for dynamically adding consensus nodes in a blockchain, involving receiving a registration request, generating a network update block with topological information, and synchronizing block information to form a new consensus network, without requiring downtime or business interruption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If state machine replication technology is used for dynamic configuration of consensus nodes, then the system can adapt to changing conditions, but the performance becomes extremely low and difficult to use in engineering practice

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic configuration capabilityVSAvoidsystem performance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the consensus node addition process into distinct phases: registration phase (where the new node joins and receives configuration) and consensus phase (where the node participates in block production). This segmentation allows the system to maintain high performance during consensus operations while enabling dynamic configuration during registration, resolving the contradiction between adaptability and productivity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies preliminary action by having the new consensus node complete registration and receive network configuration information before actually participating in consensus operations. The node is pre-configured with topological information and block data in advance, so when it joins the consensus network, it can immediately operate at full performance without disrupting ongoing business operations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If dynamic configuration of consensus nodes is implemented, then the system can adapt to changing conditions, but it requires downtime or business suspension

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedynamic node additionVSAvoiddowntime

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent ensures continuity of useful action by allowing the consensus network to continue operating without interruption while a new node completes its registration. The existing consensus nodes continue producing blocks and the business operations continue uninterrupted. The new node synchronizes with the ongoing consensus process rather than requiring the system to pause, thus eliminating downtime while maintaining adaptability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #20Continuity of useful action

Solution Approach 2:

The new consensus node performs registration and configuration in advance before needing to participate in consensus. It receives the network update block and synchronizes block information preliminarily, so when it officially joins the consensus network, the configuration is already complete and no downtime is required for the dynamic addition process.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Reliability

If a new consensus node is added to the consensus network, then the network capacity and security are improved, but the computational load on existing nodes during synchronization increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork security and capacityVSAvoidcomputational load

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the heavy computational task of block information synchronization from the existing consensus nodes and transfers it to the new node itself. Instead of having existing nodes replay transactions to synchronize the new node, the new node autonomously pulls block data from peers and reconstructs its state. This extraction principle reduces the energy burden on existing nodes while still achieving the reliability benefit of adding a new secure node to the network.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentUS12206555B2Method and apparatus for dynamically adding consensus node in blockchain

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 JD DIGITS HAIYI INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY CO LTD

AI summary

Disclosed is a method and device for dynamically adding a consensus node in a blockchain. The method comprises: receiving a registration request, initiated by a new participant, for registration as a new consensus node in a consensus network, wherein the registration request is used for initiating a registration to the consensus network; generating, according to the registration request, a network update block in which topological information of a new consensus network is written, wherein the new consensus network comprises consensus nodes in the consensus network and the new consensus node; and synchronizing block information in the consensus network and the network update block to the participant and the consensus nodes so as to obtain the new consensus network.