Ternoa: Open Source Clusters for a Resilient Network
The Evolution of Ternoa’s Technology
In March, Ternoa’s Phase 4 launch marked a defining moment of significant advancements in digital ownership and privacy. With the introduction of Secret NFTs, we unlocked the ability to create NFTs embedded with private data and the ability to future-proof private data and memories with our state-of-the-art Capsules. We launched our cutting-edge Transmission Protocols, allowing users to transmit digital assets securely using customized event-based or time-based methods.
But the innovations didn’t stop there. Phase 4 also introduced TEE (Trusted Execution Environment) technology and enclaves to the Ternoa network. These features ensure that only the current owners and authorized third parties of Secret NFTs and Capsules can access the underlying data. Advanced security measures, such as splitting the encryption key using Shamir’s Secret Sharing algorithm, and safeguarding it within secure enclaves, have strengthened the integrity of the Ternoa network.
Today, we’re thrilled to announce the first part of our Phase 5 launch with the further development of our TEE technology with the launch of open-source enclave clusters on the Ternoa network. This new phase represents a significant shift in our focus, transitioning from an emphasis on functionality and security to a broader commitment to trust and reliability. Open source clusters allow users to become integral parts of strengthening the network’s resiliency and adding multiple layers of security.
But what exactly are open-source clusters, and how do they relate to TEEs and enclaves? How will this shift benefit the Ternoa blockchain and community? Join us as we explore these concepts, delving into a new era of transparency and collaboration.
Understanding TEEs, Enclaves, and Clusters
- TEEs: A TEE is a secure hardware environment that isolates code execution from the main operating system, ensuring that code is executed securely and without interference.
- Enclaves: Inside a TEE are isolated compartments known as enclaves, which are protected environments where sensitive data can be securely processed. An enclave is a program running in an isolated, encrypted memory environment within a TEE. It ensures that even if the system is compromised, the data within the enclave remains protected.
- Open Source Clusters: In Phase 5 of Ternoa’s TEE development, we are introducing open source clusters. Open source clusters are groups of enclaves that work together to provide a more robust, resilient and decentralized network. Clusters enable direct, secure communication between enclaves for real-time data sync, enabling data to be synced up securely across clusters without human/operator intervention.
By open-sourcing clusters, Ternoa enables users with prior experience running nodes to become secret node operators in the Ternoa ecosystem.
How Open Source Clusters Benefit Ternoa
- Enhanced Reliability and Trust: With an emphasis on reliability and trust, the clusters introduce decentralization to enclaves. Anyone can rent TEE-enabled hardware and register their interest to run a Ternoa enclave (aka secret nodes), strengthening the network’s trust and dependability.
- Improved dApps Functionality: The open-source clusters offer dApps the ability to query multiple clusters, thereby improving redundancy and uptime. If one cluster is down, dApps can easily switch to another, ensuring smooth and continuous operation.
- Security and Performance: The clusters ensure a robust and secure environment with regular health checks and synchronization through advanced security measures, including hardware security by Intel and remote attestation. The secret node operators will be required to stake a predetermined quantity of CAPS tokens, and will be rewarded or penalized based on the performance of their nodes. This pins accountability and incentivises good performance.
- Inter-Cluster Communication: Open-source clusters enable direct and secure communication between different clusters. For example, Capsules in Ternoa are secure containers for data. Clusters ensure that the keyshares, that enable decryption of confidential data contained in capsules, are backed up across enclaves in other clusters paving the way for data redundancy and improved fault tolerance characteristics
User Participation and Network Protection
- Becoming Operators: Users can rent SGX hardware, set up an enclave, and register to join a cluster. They can become operators, contributing to the network’s security and reliability.
- Earning Rewards: Users who become operators are rewarded for their contributions. Their machines must be continuously connected and maintain high safety and performance standards.
- Protecting the Network: Through decentralized clusters and user participation, the Ternoa network becomes self-sustaining. Users protect the network by hosting and maintaining enclaves, making the system robust against attacks.
- Measurement and Accountability: In Phase 5, Ternoa will implement a metric server to measure the performance and behavior of operators’ machines. Penalties are in place for non-compliance, ensuring a fair and efficient system.
As advanced security measures and user privacy are core to Ternoa’s ecosystem, our open-source cluster code has been audited by leading security experts in the TEE domain, and details of the audits will be available shortly. The innovative integration of Ternoa’s TEEs, enclaves, and open-source clusters has resulted in a dynamic, secure, and engaging network. This integration has not only unlocked unique features like Secret NFTs and Capsules, but also opened doors for users to actively participate, earn rewards, and protect the network. More importantly, it has paved the way for new possibilities and opportunities within the network. We will share more details on how to register to become an operator on the Ternoa network in the coming weeks.
Stay tuned as next week we will announce all Phase 5 developments as Ternoa continues redefining the blockchain landscape.
