What are the blockchain architectures? What are the characteristics?

Blockchain technology is widely adopted due to the range of benefits it offers, and since there is no central authority to oversee operations, blockchain is an ideal registry for joint ventures. The digital signature and verification process used in blockchain helps prevent fraudulent activities, and the information in it is not centralized, preventing it from being lost. Blockchain is a distributed ledger that is completely open to anyone. Once data is recorded in the blockchain, it is difficult to change it. The data stored within the block depends on the type of blockchain. Many investors want to know what the blockchain architecture is? Let me introduce it to you below.

What are the blockchain architectures?

1. Blockchain ledger

Blockchain, block chain, blocks contain data information, and data blocks are connected in some way to form a block chain. So, how to represent the information of each data block? The block data of Bitcoin is roughly as follows: There are roughly three parts that make up a data block: block header, block body, and Merkel root (simply understood as identity).

2. Consensus Mechanism

Everyone has to keep accounts and remember the number of bricks moved. Xiao Wang likes to write straight characters, Xiao Li likes to write numbers, and Xiao Zhang has good art talent, so he paints bricks one by one. We went up and debated for a long time but couldn't reach an agreement. So we discussed a rule, for example, the person who is older, does the best job, or has the most say in making decisions. In the end, this person will determine a consensus method, and everyone will follow it. Go back to the blockchain, select the most suitable node, and record the data according to its rules to keep the ledger consistent.

3. Cryptozoological algorithms

Cryptozoological algorithms are widely used in blockchain systems, such as marking, determining blocks, and every business involved in the blocks. For example, in the process of information communication between Xiao Wang -> Xiao Zhang -> Xiao Chen, if everyone is separated by a wall and can only see each other's arms and clothes, then Xiao Zhang will use Xiao Wang's finger characteristics, clothes, skin, and voice. Once it is determined, it is Xiao Wang. These characteristics form part of the basis for judging the information Xiao Wang delivers.

Combined with the previous blockchain structure, the connection between data blocks is actually connected by each other's blockchain hash, and this hash involves cryptography. Each block involves many transactions. Each transaction data calculates a hash value based on cryptography, which uniquely represents a transaction. Finally, this group of transaction hashes is combined and processed to obtain a hash tree. The top is what is mentioned above. of "Mecklgen".

4. Scripting system

The Bitcoin system is relatively simple, only sending and receiving Bitcoins; Ethereum has added smart contracts, allowing users to automatically write some programs. This is one of the reasons why the tokens of many new blockchain projects are developed based on ETH rather than BTC.

These running rules are all implemented by the script system. It is precisely because the script system and accounting blockchain can also record various orders, logistics, crowdfunding and other information.

5. Network routing

Everyone knows about routers. We assume that the router’s network is distributed by a nearby router, and router B can only connect to A, and C can only connect to B. In this way, analogy. B serves C and is also served by A. Everyone synchronizes data with each other and is responsible for finding adjacent routes. The network routing of blockchain is similar to this. We do not rely on the network signal transmitter in the middle, but are related to each other, and there is no center.

Characteristics of blockchain architecture

Blockchain has characteristics that traditional technical systems do not have, such as decentralized operation of the system, third-party trust, collective system maintenance, data tampering, and transaction traceability. .

First, decentralization.

The storage, transmission and verification process of blockchain data are based on a distributed system structure. The entire network is an end-to-end network composed of many nodes. There is no centralized equipment and management organization. Stopping any node will not affect the overall operation of the system.

Second, trust.

In the blockchain system, all nodes can be verified through digital signatures and transactions can be made without third-party certification. In other words, the operation process of the blockchain system does not have the trust guarantee of a third party and only relies on everyone's recognition and certification. With third-party trust, reliable operation of the system is achieved.

Third, collective maintenance.

The data in the blockchain system is jointly maintained by all nodes with accounting functions in the entire system. The damage or loss of any node will not affect the operation of the entire system. The blockchain system does not have institutions such as management centers, and its collective maintenance characteristics make it have good system stability.

Fourth, data cannot be tampered with or forged.

Data on the blockchain system cannot be tampered with or forged. Once the data has been tampered with or forged, it can technically be found immediately through the hash function mentioned above. At the same time, this also destroys the consistency of the entire data network. This kind of data tampering will not be recognized by other nodes and will lose everyone's approval, making the tampering invalid. In other words, data modifications of individual nodes in the blockchain system will not affect the databases of other nodes unless the data of nodes reaching a certain limit in the system are modified simultaneously.

Fifth, traceability.

The data of the blockchain system is traceable. We can concatenate two adjacent blocks from any time node through cryptographic methods, and reversely look for the past and present of these data with the help of the blockchain chain.

The six-level structure of blockchain

The architecture of blockchain is usually divided into six layers, namely data layer, network layer, consensus layer, incentive layer, contract layer and application. layer. Each layer has its specific functions and effects:

1. Technical layer

The technical layer is the bottom layer of the blockchain and the most important core technology layer. This layer is mainly composed of Ethereum, Bitcoin and other decentralized ledger systems. They use encryption technology to protect the security of data, use hash algorithms to record transactions, and use distributed ledger technology to reduce transaction costs and improve transaction efficiency. , and can also provide functions such as smart contracts.

2. Network layer

The network layer is the second layer of the blockchain. It is mainly a system composed of *packer (Miner)* and *miner (Miner)*. They pass The mining algorithm packages the transaction information into blocks and then publishes the blocks to the entire network. All nodes can receive the same block information. In this way, all nodes can be updated synchronously to keep the data in the network valid. It is worth mentioning that the security and durability of the blockchain mainly rely on Bitcoin miners, and the computing power of the miners will be related to the security and reliability of the blockchain.

3. Application layer

What supports the underlying data security and reliability is the application layer, which is mainly for business applications in specific fields. Taking Bitcoin as an example, the Bitcoin application layer mainly includes new transactions, user group management, address management, transaction signatures, etc. Others such as Ethereum, this layer can support applications such as smart contracts.

4. Protocol layer

The protocol layer is the bridge that connects the network layer and the application layer. It is built on the basis of the network layer and is the bridge that connects the network and applications. to provide a higher level of service. The protocol layer can define a variety of related protocols, such as IP protocol, HTTP, SSL/TLS, etc., to meet the various needs of different applications.

5. Platform layer

This layer defines a framework system for application development, which allows developers to build applications on it. The platform layer can also be called a development platform or application network. layer. In addition, it throws the protocol layer services to a higher layer and provides a more convenient interface to enable rapid development of upper-layer applications.

6. Product Layer

The product layer contains different products and is the ultimate application of blockchain technology. Only when users use blockchain technology to produce specific products, will this technology have the ability to change users' existing working methods and provide more detailed services and functions in a user-friendly way, thus bringing blockchain into full play? The greatest value of technology. These products include gaming products, financial service products, etc., all of which use blockchain technology to change the user experience.

The above content is the editor’s detailed elaboration on the issues of blockchain architecture. The goal of blockchain is to allow digital information to be recorded and distributed, but not edited. In this way, blockchain is the basis for an immutable ledger, or record of transactions that cannot be changed, deleted, or destroyed. This is why blockchain is also called distributed ledger technology (DLT). The concept of blockchain was first proposed as a research project in 1991, and had its first widespread application in 2009: Bitcoin. In the years since, blockchain usage has exploded through the creation of various cryptocurrencies, decentralized finance (DeFi) applications, non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and smart contracts.

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