Turning Ordinary Users Into Extraordinary Agents
The potential for anyone to become a bridging agent could accelerate connections between chains and dApps
The greatest interoperability saga continues.
In our last piece, we introduced the exciting concept of EdgeDSPs, an innovation that could allow for running DAPP Service Providers in-browser. EdgeDSP technology lowers the barriers to entry so many stakeholders can participate in DAPP Network’s growth.
In today’s edition, we chart the evolution that led to this point in time where potentially anyone with an internet connection could run a DSP and thereby become an agent on the DAPP Network. Not only is this meaningful for DAPP Network, but it is also a massive step forward for interoperability as a whole.
The Evolution of the DAPP Service Providers (DSPs)
Anyone can become a DSP- that much has been true since day one.
Yet getting started as a DSP involves a setup process and list of technical requirements that are beyond the reach of the masses. Each DSP needs to run a full state history node, an IPFS Cluster node and a PostgreSQL database on the backend. Running infrastructure is not everyone’s game, and many capable individuals with a lot to give are thus precluded from becoming more actively involved in the network. Sometimes projects may require DSP functionality from day one, but they may not have the resources to deploy a DSP immediately.
Enter EdgeDSPs. So lightweight that it could even run within a browser, the EdgeDSP software provides both fully-fledged businesses an easier route to decentralize and grants individuals the opportunity to elevate their role within the DAPP Network.
To further illustrate how the EdgeDSP software could enhance DAPP Network, let’s take an example of a DSP that has a strong desire to set up a cross-chain bridge. Right now, the setup process would proceed as follows:
- They would start by installing and running all the prerequisites (listed above) for becoming a DSP.
- Once their entire setup is in place, they would need to create four different service packages, one for each of the services that make the bridge tick (LiquidLink, LiquidScheduler, LiquidOracles and the vRAM System).
- Choose how to impose bridge fees and potentially even staking collateral with the dual purpose of boosting the integrity of and providing liquidity to their bridges.
With EdgeDSPs, not only could the setup time and costs be slashed thanks to its lightweight nature, it could also simplify the package creation phase significantly. That’s because, unlike the legacy DSP model, EdgeDSPs run a single, unified service that could be configured with any combination of processes required and can run almost any DAPP Network services. In this case, EdgeDSPs would configure their service to watch out for token transfers on Chain A, sign a transaction to validate that it happened, and then post it on Chain B.
Another potential route existing DSPs and other entities could take is to become proxies for a swarm of EdgeDSPs and coordinate their activities on behalf of the consumer as their business. In the bridge example, these entities could leverage their reputation and exposure to set the foundation for cross-chain bridges, and use a swarm of EdgeDSP to carry out a set of general tasks. For example, a single entity could aggregate oracle results from numerous EdgeDSPs and return it to the chain. EdgeDSPs could also sign and post transactions, both on their own behalf or on behalf of the end-user. Aggregators in this way could assist bridge owners in monitoring and maintaining the performance of all their EdgeDSPs.
While existing DSPs could leverage the EdgeDSP software to slash their costs and infrastructure requirements, its true potential lies in its accessibility to all users. No longer limited by a lack of infrastructure or technical expertise, any user could get started running a DSP and instantly become an agent on the DAPP Network.
Everyone Can Become A Bridging Agent
While their roles and responsibilities vary based on the blockchain, agents are generally in charge of validating transactions, providing services and of the overall operation of the network. In return for their work, they receive some form of token inflation and/or fees from the network.
- On Proof-of-Work chains like Bitcoin, these superusers are the miners that run specialized hardware to validate transactions
- On Proof-of-Stake networks, the superuser may be called ‘block producers,’ ‘witnesses’ or simply as ‘validators.’ They’re the ones that collect transactions into blocks, sign off on them and add them to the chain.
What all these agents have in common is a certain minimum level of technical expertise and infrastructure capabilities that allow them to set up and maintain a superuser node. The lengthy process of becoming a superuser includes having to sync the entire history of their respective chains, which presents yet another hurdle for potential superusers.
And then came EdgeDSPs.
Running a validator, miner, BP or any other network agent often demands serious infrastructure & set-up skills.
Not on #DAPPNetwork.
#EdgeDSP is so lightweight it could run in a browser, slashing barriers for both current & potential DSPs. (Click to Tweet)
Specialization is the hallmark of any successful organization and network. When talented, capable individuals and entities can become agents with ease, it opens up a whole new world of contribution possibilities for all. The EdgeDSP technology slashes the barrier to becoming an agent and represents the logical evolution not only for DAPP Network, but for blockchain as a whole.
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