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A Comparison of Hyperledger Distributed Ledger Technologies
Conor Svensson

Published On - June 27, 2023

A Comparison of Hyperledger Distributed Ledger Technologies

 

Distributed ledger technologies (DLTs) are powerful tools in the changing web3 landscape. They have the potential to revolutionise industries, increase trust, and make processes more efficient. The Hyperledger projects have gained significant prominence,  offering a range of platforms tailored to meet diverse business needs.

Choosing the right Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) framework is important. It will serve as the basis for your company's digital infrastructure. Our comparative analysis will help you to navigate the complex landscape of Hyperledger DLTs with confidence and clarity. With this information, you can make informed choices that align with your organisations' unique requirements and strategic objectives.

Our comprehensive guide explores the underlying architecture, use cases, and ecosystem surrounding Hyperledger Fabric, Besu, Sawtooth, Iroha and Indy.

Hyperledger Fabric

Hyperledger Fabric is designed to enable secure, private, and permissioned blockchain networks for enterprise applications. Due to its focus on confidentiality, scalability, and flexibility, Hyperledger Fabric has gained significant traction in various industries.

Hyperledger Fabric

Hyperledger Fabric Architecture:

Hyperledger Fabric's architecture features a distributed network of peers that collectively maintain and validate the blockchain ledger. This assigns different roles to different participants. Endorsing peers are responsible for executing smart contracts and validating transactions. Meanwhile, ordering service nodes maintain the order of transactions.

The use of channels enables confidential transactions between selected participants. This ensures data privacy within the network, which is ideal for enterprise applications. Hyperledger Fabric also supports pluggable consensus mechanisms, offering flexibility in choosing the appropriate consensus algorithm for specific use cases.

Hyperledger Fabric Real-World Case Studies:

Supply chain

Walmart collaborated with IBM to track and trace the provenance of food products, ensuring transparency and reducing the risk of contamination. 

Financial sector

Sponsored by Siemens and Henkel, the award-winning taXchain network provides a faster, better and cheaper way to complete EU tax forms.

Hyperledger Fabric's modular architecture, focus on confidentiality, and scalability make it suitable for various use cases.

Hyperledger Besu 

Hyperledger Besu is an open-source enterprise blockchain platform offering a robust and flexible solution for building permissioned networks. It leverages the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) to support Ethereum-based applications and while providing additional features tailored to enterprise requirements. It also adheres to the Enterprise Ethereum Alliance (EEA) Client Specification. Hyperledger Besu combines the benefits of public Ethereum and enterprise-grade functionality, making it a compelling choice for various use cases.

Hyperledger Besu

Hyperledger Besu Architecture:

Hyperledger Besu's architecture is based on the Ethereum protocol, utilising the EVM to execute smart contracts and maintain the blockchain ledger. It supports consensus mechanisms like Proof of Work (PoW), Proof of Authority (PoA), and Istanbul Byzantine Fault Tolerance (IBFT). This flexibility allows organisations to select the most suitable consensus algorithm based on their specific needs.

Hyperledger Besu enables the creation of private networks. It also supports interoperability with public Ethereum networks offering enterprises seamless integration options.

Hyperledger Besu Real-World Case Studies:

Energy Sector

The Energy Web Foundation utilised Hyperledger Besu to build an open-source blockchain platform to enable decentralised and transparent energy trading. This solution enables participants to trade renewable energy and manage certificates securely. 

Bond Market

Banco Santander developed a blockchain solution for managing and digitising the issuance of bonds. This improved transparency and efficiency in the bond market. (Listen to John Whelan, Managing Director of Digital Assets at Santander talk on the Web3 Innovators Podcast.)

Hyperledger Besu has demonstrated its potential to address complex business challenges across a wide range of industries. It offers a reliable solution for organisations seeking to leverage blockchain technology for their specific use cases. 

If Hyperledger Besu is part of your planned blockchain solution, talk to us at Web3 Labs. We can elevate your projects with our Hyperledger Besu expertise and tailored assistance. Contact Web3 Labs today for comprehensive support and unleash the full potential of Hyperledger Besu in your organisation.

Hyperledger Sawtooth

Hyperledger Sawtooth, an open-source blockchain platform, offers a modular and scalable solution for building and deploying distributed ledger applications. Hyperledger Sawtooth focuses on flexibility, simplicity, and modularity. This allows organisations to create blockchain networks unique to their individual needs.

Hyperledger Sawtooth

Hyperledger Sawtooth Architecture:

Hyperledger Sawtooth features a unique architecture that emphasises scalability and modularity. It utilises a transaction execution model called "transaction families," which allow developers to define and implement custom rules for transaction processing. This flexibility enables the integration of various consensus algorithms, including Proof of Elapsed Time (PoET) and Practical Byzantine Fault Tolerance (PBFT).

Because it employs parallel transaction processing and a modular design, Hyperledger Sawtooth is highly adaptable to diverse enterprise use cases. This ensures efficient execution and makes it easy to integrate new features.

Hyperledger Sawtooth Real-World Case Studies:

Supply Chain

Walmart adopted Hyperledger Sawtooth to track and trace the journey of fresh produce from farm to store shelves. Customers are provided with valuable insights into the product's origin and quality. 

Healthcare Sector

Hyperledger Sawtooth has been utilised for secure data exchange and management. This enables healthcare providers to securely share patient records while ensuring privacy and compliance.

In conclusion, Hyperledger Sawtooth is a powerful blockchain platform for enterprise applications. Its modular and scalable architecture, coupled with support for custom transaction rules, allows for flexible deployments.

Hyperledger Iroha

Hyperledger Iroha is relatively newer compared to other Hyperledger frameworks. It is an open-source blockchain platform, designed to provide a simple and easy-to-use solution for decentralized applications (DApps). With its emphasis on user-friendly interfaces and modular design, Hyperledger Iroha enables organisations to build secure and scalable blockchain networks.

Hyperledger Iroha

Hyperledger Iroha Architecture:

Hyperledger Iroha features a unique architecture that focuses on modularity and extensibility. It adopts a permissioned network model and employs a consensus algorithm called YAC (Yet Another Consensus). This achieves high throughput and low latency.

The platform's modular design allows for the easy integration of custom smart contract logic. As a result, developers are able to tailor the system to their specific needs. Hyperledger Iroha also offers user-friendly client libraries and SDKs, simplifying the development process for decentralised applications.

Hyperledger Iroha Real-World Case Studies:

Financial Sector

Soramitsu collaborated with the National Bank of Cambodia to develop a blockchain-based payment system called "Project Bakong”. This system aims to enhance financial inclusion and enable efficient and secure peer-to-peer transactions for the Cambodian population. 

Hyperledger Iroha offers organisations the tools and resources necessary to build secure and user-friendly blockchain networks.

Hyperledger Indy 

Hyperledger Indy is specifically designed for decentralised identity (DID) management. This solution securely manages digital identities and preserves privacy. It gives individuals control over their personal data and interactions online.

Hyperledger Indy

Hyperledger Indy Architecture:

Hyperledger Indy's architecture uses advanced cryptographic techniques, such as zero-knowledge proofs. These techniques ensure the privacy of identity attributes and allow them to be selectively disclosed. Hyperledger Indy also supports self-sovereign identity (SSI) principles, empowering individuals to have ownership and control over their digital identities.

The platform has a range of features. These include verifiable credentials, decentralised identifiers and secure key management. These features make it possible to create trustworthy and compatible identity systems.

Hyperledger Indy Real-World Case Studies:

Sovrin Foundation

This non-profit organisation built the Sovrin Network, a global public utility for self-sovereign identity. Individuals are able to manage their digital identities securely, providing them with greater control and privacy in their online interactions. 

Kiva

Kiva is a non-profit organisation focused on expanding financial access for underserved populations around the world. It launched Africa’s first decentralised national ID system in 2019.

Hyperledger Indy is a leading blockchain platform for decentralised identity management. Its privacy-preserving features, support for self-sovereign identity principles, and secure key management capabilities make it ideal for building trusted and interoperable identity systems.

 

When considering the top Hyperledger DLTs, each platform offers unique strengths and advantages.

  • Hyperledger Besu offers the benefits of public Ethereum with enterprise-grade features and easy integration with other Hyperledger projects.
  • Hyperledger Fabric excels in its privacy and scalability features, making it a popular choice for enterprise applications.
  • Hyperledger Sawtooth is notable for its modular and scalable architecture.
  • Hyperledger Indy is specifically designed for decentralised identity management.
  • Hyperledger Iroha provides a user-friendly solution for building decentralised applications. 

Navigating blockchain technology can be difficult for organisations. Web3 Labs is here to help. We offer comprehensive support services for Hyperledger Besu enterprise deployments. Contact Web3 Labs today to discover how our enterprise support services can elevate your Hyperledger Besu projects to new heights.

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