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This article mainly introduces the relevant knowledge of "what is the side chain technology of blockchain expansion". The editor shows you the operation process through an actual case, and the operation method is simple, fast and practical. I hope this article "what is the side chain technology of blockchain expansion" can help you solve the problem.

Basic concept

The side chain protocol is essentially a cross-block chain solution. Through this solution, digital assets can be transferred from the first block chain to the second block chain, and can be safely returned from the second block chain to the first block chain at a later point in time. The first block chain is usually called the main block chain or the main chain, and every two block chains are called side chains. The side chain protocol is conceived as a way to allow the transfer of digital assets between the main chain and the side chain. this technology opens a door for the new application and experiment of block chain technology in the development zone. 02-background

In 2012, the concept of side chain was discussed for the first time in Bitcoin chat rooms. At that time, the core development team of Bitcoin was considering how to safely upgrade the Bitcoin protocol to add new features, but it was dangerous to add functions directly to the Bitcoin block chain. because if the new function fails in practice, it will have a serious impact on the existing Bitcoin network. In addition, due to the nature of Bitcoin's network structure, large-scale changes need to be supported by most Bitcoin miners. At this time, the core developers of Bitcoin put forward a side chain scheme. This technology allows developers to attach new features to other blockchains, but these blockchains are still attached to existing bitcoin blockchains. The new features in these blockchain can make full use of the network features of the existing bitcoin without harming the existing bitcoin network.

Through the side chain, new functions such as transaction privacy protection technology and intelligent contract can be added on the basis of the main chain, which allows users to access a large number of new services, and does not affect the work of the existing main chain. In addition, the side chain also provides a more secure way to upgrade the protocol, and the main chain remains safe and sound when catastrophic problems occur in the side chain. 03-implementation scheme

The technical basis of the side chain is two-way anchoring (Two-way Peg). Through the two-way anchoring technology, we can temporarily lock the digital assets in the main chain and release the equivalent digital assets in the side chain. similarly, when the equivalent digital assets are locked in the side chain, the digital assets of the main chain can also be released. The biggest difficulty in the implementation of two-way anchoring is that the protocol transformation should be compatible with the existing main chain, that is, it can not affect the work of the existing main chain. The specific implementation methods can be divided into the following categories:

(1) single escrow model

The simplest way to realize the two-way anchoring of the main chain and the side chain is by sending the digital assets to a single custodian of the main chain (similar to an exchange). When the single custodian receives the relevant information, the corresponding digital assets are activated on the side chain. The biggest problem with this solution is that it is too central. Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of how a single managed mode with bitcoin as the main chain works:

(2) Alliance model

The alliance model uses the alliance of notaries to replace the single custodian and uses the multi-signatures of the alliance of notaries to confirm the flow of digital assets in the side chain. In this model, if you want to steal the digital assets frozen on the main chain, you need to break through more institutions, but the security of the side chain still depends on the honesty of the Alliance of notaries. Figure 2 shows the working diagram of the alliance model with bitcoin as the main chain:

The biggest advantage of the single hosting model and the federation model is that they do not need to make any changes to the existing bitcoin protocol.

(3) SPV mode

The SPV (Simplified Payment Verification) model is the original idea of the decentralized two-way anchoring technology in the original side chain white paper "Enabling Blockchain Innovations with Pegged Sidechains". SPV is a method for proving the existence of a transaction. A small amount of data can be used to verify the existence of a transaction in a particular block. In SPV mode, the user sends the digital asset on the main chain to a special address of the main chain, which locks the digital asset of the main chain, and the output is still locked during the possible competition period to confirm that the corresponding transaction has been completed, and then a SPV certificate is created and sent to the side chain. At this point, a corresponding transaction with a SPV certificate appears on the side chain, verifying that the digital asset on the main chain is locked, and then another digital asset of the same value can be opened on the side chain. The use and change of this digital asset will be sent back to the main chain later. This process is repeated when this digital asset is returned to the main chain. They are sent to the output locked on the side chain, and after a certain wait time, a SPV certificate can be created to send it back to the main block chain to unlock the digital assets on the main chain. The problem with SPV mode is the need for soft bifurcation of the main chain. Figure 3 shows a schematic diagram of the workflow in the SPV mode of the Bitcoin main chain:

(4) Drive chain mode

The concept of drive chain was put forward by Paul Sztorc, the founder of Bitcoin Hivemind. In the drive chain, the miner acts as the 'algorithm agent guardian' to detect the current state of the side chain. In other words, miners are essentially fund custodians, and the drive chain issues supervision of locked digital assets to digital miners and allows miners to vote when to unlock digital assets and where to send unlocked digital assets. Miners observe the status of the side chain, and when they receive a request from the side chain, they implement a coordination agreement to ensure that they agree on the authenticity of the request. The higher the participation of honest miners in the drive chain, the greater the security of the overall system. Like the SPV side chain, the drive chain also requires soft bifurcation of the main chain. Figure 4 shows the workflow diagram of the drive chain model with bitcoin as the main chain:

(5) mixed mode

All the above modes are symmetrical, while the hybrid mode is an effective combination of the above methods of obtaining two-way anchoring. Because of the essential difference in the implementation mechanism between the main chain and the side chain, the symmetrical two-way anchoring model may not be perfect. Mixed mode uses different unlocking methods for the main chain and the side chain, such as the SPV mode on the side chain and the drive chain mode on the main chain network. Similarly, the mixed mode also requires soft bifurcation of the main chain.

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