Shared Blockchain Data Storage Learning

Shared Blockchain Data Storage Learning

Key Glossary

Term Definition Blockchain A distributed ledger technology used to record transactions in a secure, transparent, and immutable manner. Consensus Nodes Nodes in a blockchain network responsible for validating and adding new blocks. Shared Storage Nodes Nodes that store blockchain data, allowing consensus nodes to access and retrieve. Block headers contain sections of block metadata, such as timestamps, hash values ​​of previous blocks, and Merkle root hash values. Block body contains sections of all transactions in the block. State information Data that reflects the current state of the blockchain network, including account balances, contract code, etc. Historical state information A complete copy of the state information of previous blocks. Current state information State information related to the current block. Key-value pair (KVP) A data storage method in which each value is associated with a key that uniquely identifies it. Historical state tree A tree-like data structure that uses KVP to store historical state information. Current state tree A tree-like data structure that uses KVP to store current state information. Merkel tree A tree-like data structure used to efficiently verify the integrity of large data sets. Fixed Depth Merkle Tree (FDMT) A fixed-depth Merkle tree used to store and retrieve blockchain state information. Byzantine Fault Tolerance A property of a distributed system that ensures that the system operates properly even if some nodes fail or behave maliciously. Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) An algorithm used to reach consensus in a distributed system that ensures consistency even if some nodes fail. Proof of Work (POA) A mechanism that proves that a node has performed a certain amount of computational work, commonly used in consensus mechanisms in blockchain networks. Simplified Payment Verification (SPV) A method that allows lightweight nodes to verify that a transaction has been included in the blockchain without downloading the entire blockchain. Digital Signature An electronic signature created using cryptographic techniques that verifies the authenticity and integrity of a message.

Short Answer Question

Explain the concept of "consensus" in a blockchain network. Answer: Consensus refers to the process by which all nodes in a blockchain network reach an agreement on the state of the blockchain. This ensures that all nodes maintain the same transaction history and prevents double spending or other malicious activity.

What is a "block header" in a blockchain? What information does it contain? A: The block header is a part of the block that contains metadata about the block, such as a timestamp, the hash of the previous block, the Merkle root hash (a hash representing all transactions in the block), and a nonce value (used to satisfy the proof-of-work requirement).

Explain the difference between the "historical state tree" and the "current state tree". A: The historical state tree stores the complete state information of all previous blocks in the blockchain network. The current state tree only stores state information related to the current block, making it smaller and more efficient.

What is the role of the Fixed Depth Merkle Tree (FDMT) in blockchain data storage? A: FDMT is a tree-like data structure used to store and retrieve blockchain state information. It allows for efficient verification and updates of large data sets and helps reduce storage requirements.

Describe the two different types of encryption methods used in blockchain networks. A: The two main encryption methods used in blockchain networks are symmetric encryption and asymmetric encryption. Symmetric encryption uses the same key for encryption and decryption, while asymmetric encryption uses a public-private key pair.

Briefly explain how the Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) consensus mechanism works. A: PBFT is a consensus mechanism that enables nodes in a network to agree on the order of transactions through multiple rounds of messaging and verification, ensuring consistency even when some nodes fail.

What is "Simplified Payment Verification (SPV)"? How does it benefit lightweight nodes? A: SPV allows lightweight nodes to verify that a transaction has been included in the blockchain without downloading the entire blockchain. This saves bandwidth and storage space by allowing nodes to download only the block header and the Merkle branch of the relevant transactions.

Explain the concept of "shared storage" in blockchain networks. A: Shared storage refers to a distributed storage system accessed and used by multiple nodes. In a blockchain network, shared storage can be used to store blockchain data, thereby reducing the storage burden of a single node.

How does shared storage improve efficiency and scalability in a blockchain network? A: Shared storage improves the efficiency and scalability of a blockchain network by distributing the storage load among multiple nodes. This reduces the storage requirements of a single node and allows the network to process more transactions.

Discuss the potential security issues of using shared storage in a blockchain network. A: One potential security issue in a shared storage system is the risk of a single point of failure. If a shared storage system fails, it can affect the entire blockchain network.