Two-Layer Blockchain for Database Data Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
Ensuring data integrity in distributed replicated databases without relying on a trusted third party, particularly in cloud environments where data is sensitive and decentralized governance is necessary, is a challenge due to the complexity and time-consuming nature of verifying large amounts of data for integrity.
Innovation Solution
A two-layer blockchain architecture is employed, with a first-layer utilizing a lightweight consensus mechanism for high throughput and a second-layer using proof-of-work for strong data integrity, ensuring that all database operations are recorded in a tamper-proof and immutable manner across a network of distributed nodes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If data integrity verification is performed on large amounts of data in distributed databases, then data integrity is ensured, but the verification process becomes computationally complex and time consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses cryptographic hash functions to create compact digital fingerprints (copies) of large datasets. Instead of verifying the entire data, the system verifies these hash values which are much smaller in size but uniquely represent the original data integrity state.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces blockchain technology as an intermediary layer between distributed database nodes. The blockchain stores and verifies cryptographic hashes of database states, acting as a mediator that proves data integrity without requiring direct peer-to-peer verification between all database nodes.
2Reliability
If a centralized governance model is used to ensure data integrity, then data consistency can be maintained, but it compromises the decentralized nature of cloud federations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables database nodes to autonomously verify data integrity by independently checking cryptographic hashes stored on the blockchain. Each node can self-verify the integrity of data replicas without requiring centralized authorization or coordination.
Solution Approach 2:
The blockchain serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as a distributed ledger, a verification mechanism, and a trust layer. This universal structure replaces the need for separate centralized governance components while maintaining data consistency across decentralized nodes.
3Measurement precision
If traditional data integrity checking methods are used, then comprehensive verification can be achieved, but the computational burden and time required increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system creates compact cryptographic hash copies of database states that can be quickly transmitted and verified. These hash copies maintain full verification accuracy while reducing the data volume from potentially gigabytes to mere bytes, dramatically increasing verification throughput.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of performing exhaustive verification of all data, the system performs partial verification through cryptographic hashes. The hash function provides excessive computational work during creation but enables extremely fast verification, trading creation complexity for verification efficiency.
Data Source
AI summary
Disclosed herein is a system for storing a record of operations performed on a plurality of databases in which data in each database is a duplicate of a portion of data in each other database of the plurality of databases. The system comprises a plurality of servers, each server comprising a database of the plurality of databases, and a blockchain of a first distributed ledger, the blockchain of the first distributed ledger comprising one or more records of operations performed on the database, and at least one miner. Each miner comprises a blockchain of a second distributed ledger, the blockchain of the second distributed ledger comprising a record of data indicative of one or more records stored on the first distributed ledger.