A Comparative Analysis of Proof-of-Authority Consensus Algorithms: Aura vs Clique

Md Mainul Islam; Mpyana Mwamba Merlec; Hoh Peter In

doi:10.1109/SCC55611.2022.00054

A Comparative Analysis of Proof-of-Authority Consensus Algorithms: Aura vs Clique

Md Mainul Islam, Mpyana Mwamba Merlec, Hoh Peter In

Department of Computer Science and Engineering

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Proof-of-authority (PoA) has become a popular consensus algorithm for permissioned blockchains, in which a group of trusted entities governs the networks. This algorithm provides fast consensus while requiring less computational resources and energy. Aura and Clique are two major implementations of PoA, which have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of both algorithms in terms of consistency, availability, partition tolerance, security, block time, and transaction throughput. The algorithms were implemented in Python, and experiments were conducted by connecting six consensus nodes having different computing power. The experimental results were comprehensively analyzed. It was observed that Clique provides higher availability and transaction throughput but lower security and consistency than Aura. The blockchains in the Aura network are immediately consistent while the blockchains stored by individual Clique authorities become eventually consistent. Permissioned blockchain practitioners will find this paper useful in choosing the most appropriate PoA implementation based on their requirements.

Original language	English
Title of host publication	Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022
Editors	Claudio Agostino Ardagna, Hongyi Bian, Carl K. Chang, Rong N. Chang, Ernesto Damiani, Schahram Dustdar, Jordi Marco, Munindar Singh, Ernest Teniente, Robert Ward, Zhongjie Wang, Fatos Xhafa, Jia Zhang
Publisher	Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.
Pages	327-332
Number of pages	6
ISBN (Electronic)	9781665481465
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1109/SCC55611.2022.00054
Publication status	Published - 2022
Event	2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022 - Barcelona, Spain Duration: 2022 Jul 10 → 2022 Jul 16

Publication series

Name	Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022

Conference

Conference	2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022
Country/Territory	Spain
City	Barcelona
Period	22/7/10 → 22/7/16

Bibliographical note

Funding Information:
This work was partially supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF) of Korea grant funded by the Ministry of Science and ICT (MSIT) of the Korean government (No. NRF-2021R1A2C2012476) and the Institute of Information & Communications Technology Planning & Evaluation (IITP) grant funded by MSIT (No. 2021-0-00177, High Assurance of Smart Contract for Secure Software Development Life Cycle).

Publisher Copyright:
© 2022 IEEE.

Keywords

Aura consensus
Aura vs Clique
Blockchain
Clique consensus
consensus algorithm
proof-of-authority

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Information Systems and Management
Control and Optimization
Artificial Intelligence
Computer Networks and Communications
Computer Science Applications
Information Systems

Access to Document

10.1109/SCC55611.2022.00054

Cite this

Islam, M. M., Merlec, M. M., & In, H. P. (2022). A Comparative Analysis of Proof-of-Authority Consensus Algorithms: Aura vs Clique. In C. A. Ardagna, H. Bian, C. K. Chang, R. N. Chang, E. Damiani, S. Dustdar, J. Marco, M. Singh, E. Teniente, R. Ward, Z. Wang, F. Xhafa, & J. Zhang (Eds.), Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022 (pp. 327-332). (Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022). Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc.. https://doi.org/10.1109/SCC55611.2022.00054

A Comparative Analysis of Proof-of-Authority Consensus Algorithms: Aura vs Clique. / Islam, Md Mainul; Merlec, Mpyana Mwamba; In, Hoh Peter.
Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022. ed. / Claudio Agostino Ardagna; Hongyi Bian; Carl K. Chang; Rong N. Chang; Ernesto Damiani; Schahram Dustdar; Jordi Marco; Munindar Singh; Ernest Teniente; Robert Ward; Zhongjie Wang; Fatos Xhafa; Jia Zhang. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2022. p. 327-332 (Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022).

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Conference contribution

Islam, MM, Merlec, MM & In, HP 2022, A Comparative Analysis of Proof-of-Authority Consensus Algorithms: Aura vs Clique. in CA Ardagna, H Bian, CK Chang, RN Chang, E Damiani, S Dustdar, J Marco, M Singh, E Teniente, R Ward, Z Wang, F Xhafa & J Zhang (eds), Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022. Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., pp. 327-332, 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022, Barcelona, Spain, 22/7/10. https://doi.org/10.1109/SCC55611.2022.00054

Islam MM, Merlec MM, In HP. A Comparative Analysis of Proof-of-Authority Consensus Algorithms: Aura vs Clique. In Ardagna CA, Bian H, Chang CK, Chang RN, Damiani E, Dustdar S, Marco J, Singh M, Teniente E, Ward R, Wang Z, Xhafa F, Zhang J, editors, Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc. 2022. p. 327-332. (Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022). doi: 10.1109/SCC55611.2022.00054

Islam, Md Mainul ; Merlec, Mpyana Mwamba ; In, Hoh Peter. / A Comparative Analysis of Proof-of-Authority Consensus Algorithms : Aura vs Clique. Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022. editor / Claudio Agostino Ardagna ; Hongyi Bian ; Carl K. Chang ; Rong N. Chang ; Ernesto Damiani ; Schahram Dustdar ; Jordi Marco ; Munindar Singh ; Ernest Teniente ; Robert Ward ; Zhongjie Wang ; Fatos Xhafa ; Jia Zhang. Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers Inc., 2022. pp. 327-332 (Proceedings - 2022 IEEE International Conference on Services Computing, SCC 2022).

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abstract = "Proof-of-authority (PoA) has become a popular consensus algorithm for permissioned blockchains, in which a group of trusted entities governs the networks. This algorithm provides fast consensus while requiring less computational resources and energy. Aura and Clique are two major implementations of PoA, which have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this paper, we evaluate the performance of both algorithms in terms of consistency, availability, partition tolerance, security, block time, and transaction throughput. The algorithms were implemented in Python, and experiments were conducted by connecting six consensus nodes having different computing power. The experimental results were comprehensively analyzed. It was observed that Clique provides higher availability and transaction throughput but lower security and consistency than Aura. The blockchains in the Aura network are immediately consistent while the blockchains stored by individual Clique authorities become eventually consistent. Permissioned blockchain practitioners will find this paper useful in choosing the most appropriate PoA implementation based on their requirements.",

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A Comparative Analysis of Proof-of-Authority Consensus Algorithms: Aura vs Clique

Abstract

Publication series

Conference

Bibliographical note

Keywords

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Access to Document

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