Increasing Robustness of Blockchain Peer-to-Peer Networks with Alternative Peer Initialization

In this paper, we identified the most important vulnerabilities of a peer-to-peer (P2P) network in a blockchain and proposed an algorithm for adding new peers to an existing network in order to increase robustness. We determined the main vulnerabilities and their detection metrics by means of current literature. They can be categorized by topological characteristics, network resource statistics, the local characteristics of the neighbors set per peer, and implementation details of various parts of the blockchain. Based on topological metrics, we set forth an algorithm for adding new peers into an optimal position in order to increase overall robustness. Her we define robustness as the functionality and stability of the blockchain. A proof of concept, comparing it to random connections showed no indication of a better robustness, as measured by chain creation and its stability, over time. However future works is needed to determine efficacy of this algorithm and other ways of using metrics to initialize peer connections.