Hyperledger Sawtooth is an open-source project that operates as an enterprise-grade blockchain system for developing and running distributed ledger applications and networks especially tailored to enterprises.
Key Insights
- Versatile Enterprise Blockchain Platform: Hyperledger Sawtooth facilitates the creation and execution of customized smart contracts without the need for understanding the core system’s intricate design.
- Collaborative Development: Part of the Hyperledger family, backed by key players like the Linux Foundation, IBM, Intel, and SAP.
- Diverse Consensus Support: It supports multiple consensus algorithms including Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT) and Proof of Elapsed Time (PoET).
Understanding Hyperledger Sawtooth
Co-developed by the Linux Foundation alongside IBM, Intel, and SAP, Hyperledger Sawtooth aims to maintain truly distributed ledgers and offer more secure smart contracts suitable for business use. It serves as a Blockchain-as-a-Service (BaaS) implementation.
The distinguishing feature of Hyperledger Sawtooth is its architectural separation of the core ledger system from the application-specific environment. This mitigates performance issues and security risks that arise when applications and the core operate on the same platform.
Simplified Development
Developers can build applications in their choice of programming languages—such as C++, Go, Java, JavaScript, Python, and Rust. These applications can function at the system’s periphery without disrupting the core blockchain. Sawtooth-based applications can run anything from core business logic to self-governing smart contract virtual machines that automate contract executions among various blockchain participants.
The core system supports seamless co-hosting of multiple applications on one blockchain, allowing for custom transaction rules, permissioning mechanisms, and consensus algorithms tailored to an enterprise’s needs.
How Hyperledger Sawtooth Revolutionizes Blockchain
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Selective Permissions: Deploy clusters of Sawtooth nodes with varied permissions on the same blockchain, documented with detailed info on permissions, nodes, and identities.
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Performance Efficiency: Enhanced by parallel transaction execution, a solution superior to serial execution often used by other blockchain networks, which struggle with high transaction volumes.
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Eco-friendly Consensus Mechanism: Utilizing the Proof of Elapsed Time (PoET) consensus, it offers low resource use and energy efficiency, fitting for permissioned blockchain networks.
Real-World Implementation Examples
- Sawtooth Supply Chain: Keeps comprehensive track of assets’ contextual and logistic data represented on the blockchain.
- Sawtooth Marketplace: Enables participants to trade digital assets in specified quantities efficiently.
- Sawtooth Private UTXO: Facilitates the creation and trading of digital assets, including off-ledger, private transactions.
Related Terms: blockchain, distributed ledger technology, Proof of Elapsed Time, smart contracts.
References
- Intel Corporation. “Sawtooth Application Developer’s Guide”.
- Intel Corporation. “Sawtooth – Introduction”.
