Distributed Consensus Algorithms with Byzantine Fault Tolerance on Commodity Networks

Abstract

This paper presents a novel distributed consensus algorithm designed for commodity networks, specifically focusing on achieving Byzantine fault tolerance. Existing consensus algorithms frequently suffer from complexity and high resource requirements, limiting their applicability in real-world scenarios where network conditions and potential malicious activity are significant concerns. This algorithm addresses these limitations by utilizing the inherent capabilities of commodity networks—such as the Internet—to facilitate distributed agreement. A core mechanism is the incorporation of Byzantine fault tolerance techniques, ensuring that the system can maintain agreement even when a fraction of the nodes are compromised and actively attempting to disrupt the consensus process. The proposed algorithm prioritizes simplicity and efficiency, aiming for accessibility on everyday networks while robustly handling potential attacks. The design emphasizes a probabilistic approach to fault detection and recovery, coupled with a novel voting scheme, to achieve both efficiency and resilience. This work aims to broaden the applicability of consensus mechanisms beyond specialized blockchain systems to a wider range of distributed applications.