Amazon Web Services (AWS), the cloud computing division of Amazon, has launched blockchain templates that facilitate simple and easy creation of secure blockchain networks using open source protocols. The templates, christened as “AWS Blockchain Templates”, have been designed for use in Ethereum network and Linux Foundation’s Hyperledger fabric. Notably, Hyperledger networks created by using the templates are private. Ethereum networks, however, created using the template can be either private or public.
The launch of pre-set blockchain frameworks is the first big step taken by the ecommerce giant in the blockchain technology domain.
Jeff Barr, the Chief Evangelist for AWS, has posted the features of the service in an elaborate manner via the AWS blog. Barr further stated
“We are launching AWS Blockchain Templates today. These templates will let you launch an Ethereum (either public or private) or Hyperledger Fabric (private) network in a matter of minutes and with just a few clicks. The templates create and configure all of the AWS resources needed to get you going in a robust and scalable fashion.”
Amazon already has partnerships with organizations such as Corda R3, Sawtooth, Quorum, and PokitDok. The partnerships focus on identity resolution, supply chain, auto-adjudication, and integrity applications. The collaboration with Corda is interesting in the sense that it allows creation of distributed apps on the AWS platform.
Launching a Private Ethereum Network
The Ethereum template offers two launch options. The ecs option creates an Amazon ECS cluster within a Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) and launches a set of Docker images in the cluster. The docker-local option also runs within a VPC, and launches the Docker images on EC2 instances. The template supports Ethereum mining, the EthStats and EthExplorer status pages, and a set of nodes that implement and respond to the Ethereum RPC protocol. Both options create and make use of a DynamoDB table for service discovery, along with Application Load Balancers for the status pages.
The template supports Ethereum mining. Furthermore, EthStats page for network metrics and an EthExplorer toolkit that enables users to explore transactions and smart contract are provided as well. The facility to launch Hyperledger networks is certainly a game changer for organizations, which want to improve privacy, efficiency, and audit capability.
Amazon, which is known as a disruptive commercial force, is well aware of the potential of blockchain technology and the opportunities it provides for growth. Last year, AWS’s head of worldwide financial services business development, Scott Mullins announced that Amazon would work towards institutional blockchain adoption.
Mullins said
“Today in financial services, distributed ledger technology is at the forefront of any discussion related to innovation. AWS is working with financial institutions and blockchain providers to spur innovation and facilitate frictionless experimentation”
Advantages
There is no additional charge for AWS Blockchain Templates. A user has to pay only for the AWS resources needed to run the blockchain network. A blockchain network can be created and deployed in any public AWS region.
Crypto enthusiasts can be rest assured that more such products would launched by Amazon in the future.
