Reference Architecture for Blockchain-Native Distributed Information System

Abstract

The blockchain paradigm and its application of Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) are now enabling technologies for the worldwide development of trustworthy and decentralized solutions. DLT offers enormous potential to accommodate the intricate architectural patterns of individual Distributed Information Systems (DIS). Despite its immense potential, the current research effort is not focused on deploying DLT inside the DIS area. We identified sixteen essential DIS Architectural Properties (APs) that offer issues for DIS system architects using Grounded Theory. Then, we assessed the capabilities of the major DLT platform and highlighted its prospects and limits with regard to supporting DIS APs. Using the meta-analysis research technique, we demonstrated that DLT might serve as a development platform for a blockchain-native DIS (BN-DIS) that enables design and development processes. A BN-DIS utilizes DLT infrastructure and blockchain design principles to expand internationally, support thousands of distributed nodes, and employ DIS APs unique to the Blockchain. Lastly, we give a case study illustrating how DLT handles DIS APs in a real-world context, giving empirical proof of the DLT’s efficacy in servicing DIS APs.

Keywords

• Distributed ledger technology
• blockchain
• distributed information systems
• permissioned blockchain