What is a Blockchain Node Engine?
Blockchains serve as a sort of decentralized database because they are made up of transaction data that is encrypted and permanently stored. The governing structure is a node, which is a computer or server that holds the whole copy of the blockchain's transaction history in addition to depending on a central authority to confirm data.
Google's Blockchain Node Engine is a hosting service that reduces the requirement for node operations, unlike self-managed nodes that demand ongoing care and are challenging to deploy.
What is it ?
The engine is anticipated to be a "fully managed node-hosting service," allowing developers to focus more on creating new products rather than maintaining the nodes that power blockchain infrastructures.
The engine places three value propositions as its three main pillars: streamlined provisioning (i.e., simpler node deployment), secure development, and completely managed operations. It is anticipated that the engine will service both large and small clients, however it is unclear at this time which more chains might be supported in the future.
Blockchain Node Engine for Web3 Development
Google Cloud released a Blockchain Node Engine for Web3 development. In a news release, the business stated that the launch represents a commitment to aid Web3 developers in creating and deploying new products on platforms based on blockchain technology. Blockchain Node Engine is a fully managed node-hosting solution that can reduce the requirement for node operations, whereas self-managed nodes are frequently challenging to establish and necessitate continual management.
For Web3 businesses that need dedicated nodes, Google Cloud compute and network infrastructure provide the dependability, performance, and security needed to relay transactions, deploy smart contracts, and read or write blockchain data. Blockchains serve as sort of decentralised databases because they are made up of transaction data that is encrypted and permanently stored. The governing infrastructure is a node, which is a computer or server that holds the whole copy of the blockchain's transaction history in addition to depending on a central authority to confirm data.
Google to Become Solana Validator
Next year, Google Cloud will run a Solana Validator and a Blockchain Node Engine to support the SOL Chain. Google Cloud disclosed it was running a Solana validator on November 5, 2022, following its announcement that it will sell a product named the "Blockchain Node Engine" and further mentioning that Ethereum would be the first blockchain supported. According to Google, the cloud division is presently collaborating with Solana to integrate the company's Blockchain Node Engine with the Solana chain.
Google introduced the Digital Assets Team earlier this year to assist users who are developing, exchanging, and deploying on blockchain-based systems. Among the Web3 startups already using Google Cloud are Solana and Dapper Labs.
In addition to Google Cloud, AWS also offers Amazon Managed Blockchain, a solution to connect to public networks or control private networks using Ethereum or Hyperledger Fabric.
Google is running a block-producing Solana validator, and the company's cloud division plans to add Solana to the list of supported blockchains for Blockchain Node Engine in 2023.
After announcing the Blockchain Node Engine at the end of October, Google is moving toward other blockchains. An official tweet from Google Cloud's Twitter account states that the company is already using a Solana validator.
Google Keeps Pushing Web3
The search engine turned tech powerhouse keeps demonstrating how its web2 positioning may be a significant advantage when merging with web3 technology.
You only need to consider some of Google's most recent actions, such as gaining a Coinbase agreement for cloud-based cryptocurrency payments and investing enormous sums of money in crypto-native businesses just in the past year. While Google has done reasonably well in its efforts to integrate the web 3, not all of the top web2 tech businesses can make the same claim.
Expect this most recent revelation to be another important pillar for the company's ongoing web3 effort, nevertheless.
Web3 innovation expansion
We are excited to provide businesses with a dependable, user-friendly blockchain node hosting service so they can concentrate on developing and growing their Web3 applications.
Go to Google Cloud for Web3 to learn more about Blockchain Node Engine. Contact the Google Cloud sales team to request access to the Private Preview of Blockchain Node Engine.
Benefits of Web3 enterprises using Blockchain Node Engine
The advantages listed below are available to Web3 enterprises using Blockchain Node Engine:
Improved provisioning
Currently, manually setting up a node takes a lot of time and entails installing an Ethereum client (such as geth), creating a compute instance, and waiting for the node to sync with the network. It can take many days to sync a full node from the very first block (also known as "genesis"). Developers can install a new node with a single operation using Google Cloud's Blockchain Node Engine, choosing the desired area and network in the process (mainnet, testnet).
Trusted development
Customers who want to protect their blockchain infrastructures presently only have a few alternatives available to them. Security settings provided by Blockchain Node Engine can aid in preventing unwanted access to the nodes. Only dependable computers and users are permitted to communicate with client endpoints when nodes are placed behind a Virtual Private Cloud firewall. In addition, additional Google Cloud services like Cloud Armor can aid in defending nodes from DDoS assaults.
Owned and controlled operations
Having a DevOps staff on standby to monitor the system and fix issues during an outage is often required to ensure that blockchain technology is prepared and accessible. Due to the fact that Blockchain Node Engine is a fully managed service, you can stop worrying about availability. The nodes are continuously monitored by Google Cloud, which restarts them as necessary during outages. By eliminating the requirement for a dedicated DevOps staff and by providing the service level agreement (SLA) of Google Cloud, Blockchain Node Engine may free up your team to concentrate on users rather than infrastructure.
Conclusion
Additionally, Web3 businesses who need dedicated nodes can use the performance and dependability of the Google Cloud network infrastructure to install smart contracts, relay transactions, read or write blockchain data, and read or write transactions. Benefits like faster provisioning, secure development, and completely managed operations in their systems are enjoyed by Web3 organisations.
