Shared Validator Node Pool for Hosted Blockchain Networks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current permissioned blockchain networks typically require each consortium member to have their own validator nodes for transaction validation, which can lead to inefficiencies and increased resource usage, as new members joining the network often do not contribute additional validator nodes, and there is a lack of separation between transaction and validator nodes.
Innovation Solution
A hosted permissioned blockchain network architecture that separates transaction nodes and validator nodes, where a shared pool of validator nodes is provisioned using a Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT) consensus protocol, allowing new consortium members to join with additional transaction nodes without requiring new validator nodes, and managing these nodes centrally to ensure fault tolerance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If each consortium member is required to have their own validator nodes, then transaction validation can be distributed among members, but resource usage increases and scalability decreases when new members join
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies universality by creating a shared pool of validator nodes that serves multiple consortium members simultaneously. Instead of each member requiring dedicated validator nodes, the same validator nodes are universally utilized across all members, allowing one validator node to perform multiple functions for different members while maintaining security and validation capabilities.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the validator node resources of multiple consortium members into a single shared pool. By combining previously separate validator node functions into a unified shared resource, the system reduces the total number of validator nodes needed while maintaining the same level of transaction validation capability across all members.
2Adaptability or versatility
If new consortium members are added to the network, then network versatility improves, but resource consumption increases due to requirement for additional validator nodes
Solution Approach 1:
The shared validator node pool enables new consortium members to join the network without requiring additional validator nodes. The existing validator nodes universally serve all members including new ones, allowing the network to expand its membership capacity while maintaining constant resource consumption levels.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of creating new validator node instances for each new member, the system uses virtualization to allow multiple members to access and utilize the same physical validator node resources. This copying approach enables unlimited membership expansion without proportional increases in actual resource consumption.
3Device complexity
If validator nodes and transaction nodes are combined in the same system, then system complexity is reduced, but network efficiency and security are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the blockchain node functions by separating transaction nodes from validator nodes. Transaction nodes handle transaction submission and broadcasting, while validator nodes independently perform validation and consensus operations. This functional segmentation improves network efficiency and security by ensuring that nodes have dedicated, optimized roles rather than combining multiple functions in a single node.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosed technology is generally directed to blockchain technology. In one example of the technology, a first transaction node of a hosted permissioned blockchain network is provisioned for a first consortium member of the hosted permissioned blockchain network. A shared pool of validator nodes of the hosted permissioned blockchain network is provisioned. The shared pool of validator nodes includes at least one validator node. The shared pool of validator nodes is shared among the plurality of consortium members. The validator nodes of the shared pool of validator nodes are configured for blockchain transaction validation based on a BFT consensus protocol. A second transaction node of the hosted permissioned blockchain network is provisioned for a second consortium member of the hosted permissioned blockchain network. Each transaction node of the hosted permissioned blockchain network is separate from each validator node of the hosted permissioned blockchain network.