CESS Mechanism (1) the Multi-Layer Network Architecture Design
Many public chain projects have been adopting the multi-layer module design in recent years. For example, Ethereum is currently developing a PoS consensus layer, which will develop into a network utilizing both a consensus and an execution layer. The Polkadot network also has a relay chain and a parachain network. The prevalent adoption of multi-layer module design in the public chain network introduces the issue of network impediment, becoming significantly delayed when excessive information is processed on-chain. Therefore, by putting only critical data on the chain while processing less-significant information off-chain, the blockchain’s efficiency in transaction processing is substantially improved.
This multi-layer network architecture could prove extremely helpful in public chain storage services. Storage networks have stricter efficiency requirements for data processing than the general smart contract public chains, including confirming available storage space, redundancy, encryption, etc. The complexity of smart contracts and proofs involves a higher level of calculation and processing.
The multi-layer network architecture has numerous advantages, but it isn’t easy to accomplish in a decentralized digital environment. So how does the Cumulus Encrypted Storage System (CESS) decentralized cloud storage network infrastructure design its multi-layer network architecture? Let’s break it down:
The multi-layer network architecture of CESS includes a four-layer network consisting of the consensus, storage, content distribution, and application layers.
The consensus layer is the blockchain network that handles all transactions and contracts. This layer includes the consensus algorithm, proof of storage, payments, and incentives in CESS. CESS builds its public chain system independently, because, in addition to verifying transactions and storage space, the blocks also maintain records of network storage space and metadata of stored content. Nodes that generate blocks also need to reasonably allocate the network storage resources based on supply and demand. Unlike Arweave’s approach to storing data on the chain, CESS uses an innovative approach to put storage resources on-chain and achieve the same efficiency as the centralized cloud through decentralized nodes. Here are the details.
The blockchain consensus mechanism of CESS employs a Random Rotational Selection consensus (R²S), which allows any participant to become a candidate consensus node. The consensus supervises the work of the nodes through a set of credit rating mechanisms. Nodes with higher ratings have a greater chance of becoming consensus nodes and participating in producing blocks. With every rotation, there are always 11 consensus nodes that carry out the task of block generation, while candidate nodes will participate in data preprocessing and resource allocation. The network will then randomly select another 11 consensus nodes from the candidates that meet the conditions for the next rotation.
Through R²S, CESS provides a transparent set of rules that define the thresholds for participants to join the network as nodes and ensures network consensus and block generation efficiency.
The storage layer and content distribution layer act as the backbone of CESS. As the names suggest, the storage layer is a network where data is stored. It is worth mentioning that CESS uses “pooling” technology to manage all storage space resources as a whole, despite the differences across miners’ various computing power and bandwidths. The system then allocates the resources according to the users’ needs, maximizing the usage of trivial storage spaces. In CESS’s storage resource pool, the storage contents containing a large amount of data are sliced into equal-size fragments and stored in randomly selected (although credible) nodes, which shields against the differences in the underlying hardware facilities.
The content distribution layer functions as a distributed Content Deliver Network (CDN), which significantly shortens the data retrieving time. Frequently used data is cached in this layer and immediately delivered to users who request it, whereas, in IPFS, the content delivery may take up to minutes or even hours. This is one of the powerful attributes that demonstrates CESS’s support for large-scale commercial applications. Decentralizing the function of CDN is also an essential part of the overall decentralized network.
CESS’s support for commercial applications is not only limited to having a robust data storage function and providing complete data services — an equally crucial aspect is making the network accessible for most businesses and applications. Breakthrough technologies such as CESS are futile unless properly scaled and rolled out. The application layer is the solution leading to a robust data network. Implementing user-friendly APIs to provide easy access for most applications allows them to seamlessly benefit from CESS’s features. Applications both from Web2 and Web3 can be developed and launched directly, even for those that are cross-ecosystem or cross-chain.
In addition, CESS supports both WASM and is compatible with Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). WASM virtual machines represent an alternative to EVM smart contract systems and are considered a better option for most applications upon establishment. Incorporating both of these smart contract systems makes CESS applicable for existing and emerging projects that later plan to use WASM. It helps CESS to develop rapidly and eventually form its ecosystem.
CESS’s multi-layer network design and its innovative technologies allow it to create a reliable and efficient network, one with intrinsic and promising future value. It will help solve most of the notorious drawbacks of the existing data storage options, either centralized or not.
