Networks for Blockchain-Enabled Applications

Abstract

With fast evolution of computer and networking technologies, more and more systems and applications are based on interconnecting different devices and systems to form the Internet-of-Something: things, vehicles, and even bodies. Many among those systems require permanent, distributed data storage facilities which are being increasingly implemented using replicated, tamper-proof blockchain ledgers. Most, if not all, of those problems are exacerbated, rather than solved, by blockchain technology. In addition, the use of blockchain brings many challenges that include efficient and reliable data distribution; efficient and collusion-proof consensus mechanisms; efficient coverage of wide geographical areas; and a plethora of existing security- and privacy-related constraints on the networks.