Consensus in Blockchain Systems with Low Network Throughput: A Systematic Mapping Study

TL;DR

This study systematically reviews consensus algorithms in blockchain systems operating under low network throughput, highlighting the robustness of asynchronous algorithms like Honey-BadgerBFT against network limitations and attacks.

Contribution

It provides a comprehensive comparison of 25 consensus algorithms, emphasizing their performance and security in low-quality network environments, which is underexplored in existing literature.

Findings

Synchronous algorithms rely on fast networks and are vulnerable to attacks.

Asynchronous algorithms like Honey-BadgerBFT are more robust in low-throughput settings.

Many algorithms fail to ensure integrity under limited network conditions.

Abstract

Blockchain technologies originate from cryptocurrencies. Thus, most blockchain technologies assume an environment with a fast and stable network. However, in some blockchain-based systems, e.g., supply chain management (SCM) systems, some Internet of Things (IOT) nodes can only rely on the low-quality network sometimes to achieve consensus. Thus, it is critical to understand the applicability of existing consensus algorithms in such environments. We performed a systematic mapping study to evaluate and compare existing consensus mechanisms' capability to provide integrity and security with varying network properties. Our study identified 25 state-of-the-art consensus algorithms from published and preprint literature. We categorized and compared the consensus algorithms qualitatively based on established performance and integrity metrics and well-known blockchain security issues. Results show that consensus algorithms rely on the synchronous network for correctness cannot provide the expected integrity. Such consensus algorithms may also be vulnerable to distributed-denial-of-service (DDOS) and routing attacks, given limited network throughput. Conversely, asynchronous consensus algorithms, e.g., Honey-BadgerBFT, are deemed more robust against many of these attacks and may provide high integrity in asynchrony events.