❓FAQ

1. What is a private blockchain, and how does it differ from a public blockchain?

A private blockchain is a permissioned network where only authorized participants can join and interact. Unlike public blockchains (such as Bitcoin or Ethereum) that are open to anyone, private blockchains are often used by enterprises for more control over data, privacy, and participants.

2. What is Raft consensus, and why is it used in this blockchain?

Raft consensus is a leader-based consensus mechanism that ensures fast block finality and simplified node management. It’s well-suited for private networks where performance and deterministic finality are more important than the decentralized, competitive nature of public consensus protocols like Proof of Work (PoW).

3. How does Zero-Knowledge Mechanism (ZKM) enhance privacy on the blockchain?

ZKM, specifically zk-SNARKs (Zero-Knowledge Succinct Non-Interactive Arguments of Knowledge), allows transactions to be verified without revealing sensitive details like transaction amounts or participants. This ensures that data remains private while maintaining security and verifiability on the blockchain.

4. How do I add a new node to the Raft consensus network?

To add a new node to the network:

1. Generate the new node's enode address.

2. Update the static-nodes.json file to include the enode addresses of the boot node and other existing nodes.

3. Start the new node using the appropriate configuration.

4. Add the new node to the Raft cluster using raft.addPeer().

5. What is a faucet, and why is it useful in a blockchain testnet?

A faucet is a tool that provides small amounts of cryptocurrency (test tokens) to developers and users for free. It’s typically used in testnets to allow users to experiment with transactions and smart contracts without needing to purchase tokens.

6. How can I connect to the blockchain using MetaMask?

To connect to the blockchain using MetaMask:

1. Open MetaMask and select “Add Network.”

2. Enter the private blockchain’s RPC URL, Chain ID, and network name.

3. Save the configuration, and MetaMask will connect to your private blockchain, allowing you to interact with contracts and perform transactions.

7. What should I do if my node isn’t syncing with the network?

If your node isn’t syncing:

• Check that the static-nodes.json file contains the correct enode addresses.

• Ensure all nodes have the same chain ID.

• Restart the node with full sync mode (--syncmode full).

• Verify network connectivity between nodes (using ping or telnet).

8. How do I scale the network to handle more transactions?

You can scale the network by:

• Adding more nodes to distribute the transaction load.

• Optimizing Raft parameters such as election timeout and snapshot frequency.

• Implementing ZKM to allow off-chain computation with on-chain verification, improving scalability without increasing on-chain data load.

9. What is a block explorer, and how do I use it?

A block explorer is a tool that allows users to view blockchain data such as blocks, transactions, and account balances. To use a block explorer for your private blockchain, deploy the explorer (e.g., BlockScout), link it to your RPC URL, and configure it to read data from your chain.

10. How do I monitor my node’s performance and activity?

You can monitor node performance by:

• Viewing node logs using tools like tail or forwarding logs to a monitoring solution like the ELK stack.

• Using commands like eth.blockNumber to check synchronization status.

• Monitoring network traffic using ping or telnet to ensure connectivity between nodes.

11. What are the key security best practices for a private blockchain?

Key security practices include:

• Restricting API access to trusted IPs.

• Using firewalls to control access to node ports.

• Encrypting private keys and storing them securely.

• Implementing multi-factor authentication for administrative access.

• Regularly updating nodes and performing security audits.

12. How can I upgrade my private blockchain to the latest version?

To upgrade your private blockchain:

1. Follow the version release notes for upgrade instructions.

2. Update node software to the latest version.

3. Backup the node’s data and configuration files before the upgrade.

4. Restart the node with the updated version and ensure it syncs with the rest of the network.