Question 1

Network Architecture & Consensus

Accepted Answer

Our Hyperledger Besu implementation begins with architecting the network topology based on your specific use case and requirements. We select and configure the most appropriate consensus algorithm from Besu's options: QBFT or IBFT 2.0 for production environments requiring Byzantine Fault Tolerance and immediate finality, Clique Proof of Authority for test networks and scenarios with trusted validators, or Ethash for compatibility with public Ethereum. We configure proper validator selection, block time, and epoch length for optimal performance and security. For larger networks, we implement proper bootnodes and network layout to ensure reliable peer discovery and communication. Our implementations include proper security configurations for RPC endpoints, websocket connections, and network communications, with appropriate firewalls and access controls. Each network configuration is thoroughly tested for performance, resilience, and security before deployment.

Question 2

Privacy & Confidential Transactions

Accepted Answer

Our privacy implementation leverages Besu's integration with Tessera to enable confidential transactions between specific network participants. We design and deploy Tessera nodes alongside Besu nodes, with secure enclave configuration for private key operations and encrypted payload storage. Our implementations include properly configured privacy groups that define which network participants can access specific private data, with appropriate peer-to-peer communication between Tessera nodes. We implement privacy-aware smart contracts that leverage Besu's privacy extensions to the Ethereum model, including proper use of the `privateFor` transaction parameter and private state management. For enhanced security, we set up private transaction managers with appropriate key management systems and secure distribution mechanisms. Our privacy implementations include comprehensive testing to ensure data remains confidential to unauthorized parties while being accessible to authorized participants across the network.

Question 3

Permissioning Systems

Accepted Answer

Our permissioning approach for Hyperledger Besu implements multiple layers of access control to ensure secure operation. We configure node-level permissioning to define which nodes can join the network, with whitelist management through configuration files or on-chain contracts depending on governance requirements. For account-level permissioning, we implement transaction allowlists that restrict which accounts can submit transactions to the network, with appropriate governance procedures for managing these lists. Where needed, we implement contract-level permissioning that restricts which accounts can interact with specific smart contracts. Our implementations include proper permissioning administration interfaces, whether through APIs, administrative tools, or on-chain governance systems. All permissioning systems are designed with appropriate backup mechanisms, monitoring, and audit logging to maintain operational security and compliance with enterprise requirements.

Question 4

Smart Contract Development

Accepted Answer

Our smart contract development for Besu networks follows enterprise best practices while leveraging the full capabilities of the EVM. We develop contracts in Solidity or Vyper based on project requirements, with comprehensive testing using industry-standard frameworks like Hardhat, Truffle, or Foundry. For private transactions, we implement privacy-aware contract patterns that properly handle the separation between public and private state, with careful consideration of gas usage and storage patterns. Our contract architecture includes proper access controls, upgrade mechanisms, and security features appropriate for enterprise deployments. We implement comprehensive testing that covers both functional requirements and security aspects, with particular attention to the differences between public Ethereum and private Besu networks. All smart contracts undergo thorough code review and, where appropriate, formal security audits before deployment to production networks.

Question 5

Monitoring & Operational Support

Accepted Answer

Our operational approach for Besu networks includes comprehensive monitoring and management systems. We implement metrics collection using Prometheus with customized exporters that capture both node-level metrics (CPU, memory, disk, network) and blockchain-specific metrics (block production, transaction throughput, peer count, sync status). These metrics feed into Grafana dashboards tailored for different stakeholders, from technical operators to business users. We implement alerting systems that provide early warning of potential issues, with appropriate escalation paths and runbooks for common scenarios. Our logging strategy aggregates logs from all components (Besu nodes, Tessera, supporting infrastructure) into centralized systems with appropriate retention and search capabilities. We establish backup procedures for critical data, including private transaction manager storage and node keys. For production networks, we implement high availability configurations with appropriate failover mechanisms to ensure network reliability even during maintenance or component failure.

Question 6

What is Hyperledger Besu and how does it differ from other Hyperledger frameworks?

Accepted Answer

Hyperledger Besu is an Ethereum client designed for enterprise use cases that uniquely bridges the gap between public and private blockchain deployments. Unlike other Hyperledger frameworks like Fabric or Sawtooth that use custom architectures, Besu is fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) and can execute standard Solidity smart contracts. This compatibility enables organizations to leverage Ethereum's extensive development ecosystem and tooling. Besu adds enterprise features on top of this Ethereum foundation, including permissioning systems for network access control, privacy capabilities through integration with Tessera for confidential transactions, and multiple consensus algorithm options (QBFT, IBFT 2.0, Clique PoA, and Ethash). Written in Java, Besu provides stability and familiarity for enterprise development teams, while its design enables deployment models that can interact with public Ethereum networks or operate in fully private configurations depending on business requirements.

Question 7

How does Hyperledger Besu handle privacy and confidential transactions?

Accepted Answer

Hyperledger Besu implements privacy through integration with a private transaction manager, typically Tessera (previously Orion). This architecture separates the blockchain client (Besu) from the privacy management component (Tessera), creating a clear separation of concerns. When a private transaction is submitted, the payload is encrypted and distributed only to the Tessera nodes of authorized participants via secure, point-to-point communication. Only hash references to this encrypted data are stored on the blockchain, visible to all participants. Authorized parties can retrieve and decrypt the actual transaction data using their Tessera node. Besu implements privacy groups that define which network participants can access specific private transactions, allowing for flexible, dynamic sharing arrangements. This provides a dual-state model where the public state is synchronized across all nodes, while each participant maintains separate private states based on their authorized private transactions. This approach ensures data confidentiality while maintaining the integrity and auditability benefits of blockchain technology.

Question 8

What consensus algorithms does Hyperledger Besu support?

Accepted Answer

Hyperledger Besu supports multiple consensus algorithms to accommodate different network requirements: QBFT (Quorum Byzantine Fault Tolerance) is the newest and recommended algorithm for production networks, offering Byzantine fault tolerance, immediate finality, and high performance with a 2f+1 fault model. IBFT 2.0 (Istanbul Byzantine Fault Tolerance) is the predecessor to QBFT, also offering Byzantine fault tolerance and immediate finality but with potential liveness issues in certain network conditions. Clique Proof of Authority is a lightweight consensus mechanism for test networks and scenarios with trusted validators, offering faster block times but lower security guarantees. Ethash is Ethereum's original proof-of-work algorithm, included for compatibility with the public Ethereum mainnet. For most enterprise deployments, QBFT or IBFT 2.0 are recommended as they provide the security, performance, and finality guarantees required for business applications while operating efficiently in a permissioned setting without the energy consumption of proof-of-work approaches.

Question 9

How does Hyperledger Besu integrate with public Ethereum networks?

Accepted Answer

Hyperledger Besu enables several integration patterns with public Ethereum networks: Hybrid deployment models can connect private Besu networks to public networks like Ethereum mainnet, allowing applications to leverage both environments. Private transactions and data can remain within the permissioned network while still interacting with public blockchain components when needed. Token bridges can be implemented to move assets between private Besu networks and public networks with appropriate security controls and verification mechanisms. Oracles can provide verified external data from public networks to private Besu environments. Network synchronization allows Besu nodes to track the public Ethereum chain state while operating in a separate private network. This interoperability is possible because Besu maintains full compatibility with Ethereum standards and protocols, including the EVM, transaction formats, and APIs. This unique capability allows enterprises to create blockchain solutions that combine the privacy and performance benefits of private deployments with the ecosystem advantages and transparency of public networks.

Question 10

What types of applications are best suited for Hyperledger Besu?

Accepted Answer

Hyperledger Besu is particularly well-suited for several application categories: Financial services applications benefit from Besu's Ethereum compatibility for tokenization and DeFi concepts while maintaining regulatory compliance through permissioning and privacy. Supply chain and trade finance solutions leverage Besu's ability to connect multiple organizations in a private consortium while potentially connecting to public networks for broader visibility. Digital asset platforms use Besu to create enterprise-grade token systems with the option to bridge to public networks. Energy trading platforms benefit from Besu's permissioning for approved market participants while using Ethereum-compatible smart contracts for settlement. Identity management systems leverage Besu's privacy features while maintaining compatibility with emerging Ethereum identity standards. Cross-chain applications use Besu as a bridge between enterprise systems and public blockchain networks. The ideal use cases typically involve organizations that need enterprise features like permissioning and privacy but also want to leverage Ethereum's ecosystem, smart contract capabilities, and potential public network integration.

Feature	Hyperledger Besu	Hyperledger Fabric	Quorum
Smart Contract Language	Solidity, Vyper (Full EVM compatibility)	Go, JavaScript, Java (Chaincode)	Solidity (EVM based)
Consensus Mechanisms	QBFT, IBFT 2.0, Clique PoA, Ethash	Raft, Kafka, Solo (pluggable)	IBFT, Raft, Istanbul BFT
Privacy Model	Tessera private transaction manager with privacy groups	Channels and private data collections	Constellation/Tessera private transaction manager
Permissioning	Node, account, and contract-level permissioning	Certificate-based MSP with channel-based segmentation	Node permissioning with contract-based access controls
Public Network Compatibility	Full Ethereum mainnet compatibility	No direct public blockchain compatibility	Ethereum-derived but with limited mainnet compatibility
Development Ecosystem	Full access to Ethereum tools (Truffle, Hardhat, Web3.js, etc.)	Custom Hyperledger tools and SDK ecosystem	Modified Ethereum tools with Quorum extensions

Hyperledger Besu Development