CBSA Blockchain Network Architectures 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In a federated blockchain network, who typically controls the consensus process?
- A single central authority
- A pre-selected group of nodes (Correct answer)
- Any node that joins the network
- The node with the most computing power
Correct answer: A pre-selected group of nodes
Federated (or consortium) blockchains delegate consensus to a pre-selected group of trusted nodes rather than open participation.
Question 2: Which network topology is most resilient to single-node failures in a blockchain peer-to-peer network?
- Star topology
- Bus topology
- Mesh topology (Correct answer)
- Ring topology
Correct answer: Mesh topology
A full mesh topology provides multiple redundant paths between nodes, making the network highly resilient to individual node failures.
Question 3: What distinguishes a 'sidechain' from the main blockchain network?
- It uses a different hash algorithm
- It is a separate blockchain pegged to the main chain for specific use cases (Correct answer)
- It is an offline backup of the main chain
- It is a chain with fewer validators
Correct answer: It is a separate blockchain pegged to the main chain for specific use cases
A sidechain is an independent blockchain connected to the main chain via a two-way peg, enabling assets and data transfer between them.
Question 4: In Hyperledger Fabric, what is the role of the 'orderer' node?
- It validates smart contract execution
- It manages wallet keys for participants
- It sequences transactions into blocks and distributes them (Correct answer)
- It stores the world state database
Correct answer: It sequences transactions into blocks and distributes them
The orderer in Hyperledger Fabric is responsible for ordering transactions into a consistent sequence and broadcasting blocks to peers.
Question 5: Which characteristic best defines a 'permissioned' blockchain network architecture?
- It requires payment to participate
- It restricts participation to identities that have been granted access (Correct answer)
- It limits the number of blocks that can be created
- It prevents smart contract deployment
Correct answer: It restricts participation to identities that have been granted access
Permissioned blockchains require participants to be explicitly authorized before they can read, write, or validate on the network.
Question 6: What is the primary purpose of a 'bootnode' in an Ethereum network?
- To mine the first block in the chain
- It helps new nodes discover and connect to peers in the network (Correct answer)
- To store the genesis block configuration
- To broadcast transactions to all nodes
Correct answer: It helps new nodes discover and connect to peers in the network
Bootnodes serve as initial contact points that help new nodes discover other peers in the network without maintaining the full blockchain.
Question 7: In a multi-cloud blockchain deployment, what is the main architectural challenge?
- Generating enough hash power
- Ensuring data sovereignty and consistent latency across cloud providers (Correct answer)
- Preventing duplicate token creation
- Synchronizing smart contract versions
Correct answer: Ensuring data sovereignty and consistent latency across cloud providers
Multi-cloud blockchain deployments face challenges around data residency regulations, variable latency between cloud regions, and consistent performance.
In a federated blockchain network, who typically controls the consensus process?