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Blockchain Scalability and its Foundations in Distributed Systems
  • Level Foundation
  • Duration 11 hours
  • Course by The University of Sydney
  • Offered by

About

Blockchain promises to disrupt industries once it will be efficient at large scale. In this course, you will learn how to make blockchain scale. You will learn about the foundational problem of distributed computing, consensus, that is key to create blocks securely. By illustrating limitations of mainstream blockchains, this course will indicate how to improve the technology in terms of security and efficiency. In particular, this course will help you: * understand security vulnerabilities of mainstream blockchains; * design consensus algorithms that tolerate attacks, and; * design scalable blockchain systems.

Modules

Introduction to the MOOC

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Introduce yourself

1 Videos

  • Introduction to the course

2 Readings

  • How to navigate the MOOC
  • Overview of assessments and activities

Blockchain background

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Module 1
  • History of blockchain

Blockchain definition

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • What is blockchain?
  • Double spending

Module 1 wrap up

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Module 1 quiz

1 Videos

  • Module 1 conclusion

Module 1 extras

    • 1 Videos
    • 2 Readings
Show info about module content

1 Videos

  • An interview with Christian Cachin - Cryptography and quantum computing

2 Readings

  • Module 1 further readings
  • Podcast interviews with Christian Cachin

Consensus definition

    • 4 Videos
Show info about module content

4 Videos

  • Introduction to Module 2
  • The 2 types of failures
  • The 3 properties of the consensus problem
  • Impossibility of consensus

Agreeing on a chain

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Proof of work and the importance of miners
  • Resolving forks

1 Readings

  • Essential reading: From blockchain consensus back to Byzantine consensus

Risks of agreeing on a chain

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • 51% attacks and network delay
  • GHOST protocol

Module 2 wrap up

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Module 2 quiz

1 Videos

  • Module 2 conclusion

Module 2 extras

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Can blockchain work without solving consensus?

1 Videos

  • An interview with Christian Cachin - Hyperledger Fabric version 0.6 to 1.x

1 Readings

  • Module 2 further readings

Coping with failures

    • 3 Videos
Show info about module content

3 Videos

  • Introduction to Module 3
  • Consensus without failures
  • Consensus with crash failures

Coping with Byzantine failures

    • 2 Videos
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Consensus with Byzantine failures
  • Byzantine tolerant consensus

Module 3 wrap up

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Module 3 quiz

1 Videos

  • Module 3 conclusion

Module 3 extras

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • The malicious student

1 Videos

  • An interview with Christian Cachin - A prototype of Fabric with BFTSMaRt Byzantine consensus

1 Readings

  • Module 3 further readings

Network delays

    • 2 Videos
    • 1 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • Introduction to Module 4
  • Beyond synchrony

1 Readings

  • The 8 fallacies of distributed systems

Attacks

    • 2 Videos
    • 2 Readings
Show info about module content

2 Videos

  • The Balance Attack
  • Double spending in Ethereum

2 Readings

  • Essential reading: The Balance Attack
  • Essential reading: Double-spending in Ethereum

Module 4 wrap up

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Module 4 quiz

1 Videos

  • Module 4 conclusion

Module 4 extras

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Is Ethereum secure?

1 Videos

  • An interview with Christian Cachin - Evaluating different blockchain systems

1 Readings

  • Module 4 further readings

The bottleneck problem

    • 3 Videos
Show info about module content

3 Videos

  • Introduction to Module 5
  • Consensus without synchrony
  • Leveraging bandwidth

Scaling blockchain

    • 3 Videos
    • 2 Readings
Show info about module content

3 Videos

  • Set Byzantine Consensus problem
  • Democratic Byzantine Fault Tolerance
  • The Red Belly Blockchain

2 Readings

  • Essential reading: DBFT
  • Essential reading: Evaluating the Red Belly Blockchain

Module 5 wrap up

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • Module 5 quiz

1 Videos

  • Module 5 conclusion

Module 5 extras

    • 1 Videos
    • 3 Readings
    • 1 Discussion
Show info about module content

1 Discussions

  • Scalability of blockchain

1 Videos

  • An interview with Christian Cachin - What if Byzantine participants keep sending invalid requests?

3 Readings

  • Preview talk at IEEE S&P 2021
  • Module 5 further readings
  • Scalability Panel Discussion

Course wrap up

    • 1 Videos
    • 1 Discussion
    • 1 Assignment
Show info about module content

1 Assignment

  • End of course quiz

1 Discussions

  • Take home messages

1 Videos

  • Summary of course

Auto Summary

Unlock the potential of blockchain technology with our comprehensive course focused on scalability and distributed systems. This course, designed for IT and computer science enthusiasts, delves into the core challenges and solutions for making blockchain efficient on a large scale. Led by industry experts from Coursera, you'll explore the foundational problem of consensus in distributed computing, crucial for secure block creation. Throughout the course, you will: - Identify and address security vulnerabilities in mainstream blockchains. - Design robust consensus algorithms to withstand attacks. - Develop scalable blockchain systems that enhance both security and efficiency. With a duration of 660 minutes, this foundational-level course is perfect for those looking to deepen their understanding of blockchain scalability. Choose between Starter and Professional subscription options to tailor your learning experience. Ideal for aspiring blockchain developers and IT professionals, this course will equip you with the skills needed to drive innovation in blockchain technology.

Vincent Gramoli
Instructor

Vincent Gramoli