Distributed Validator Technology
Q1. Explain what Distributed Validator Technology (DSV) through the Obol network is and why it might help with decentralization on Ethereum 2.0 or other Proof-of-Stake chains.
Introduction
SSV (Secret Shared Validator) is a totally new, decentralized method of staking ETH in preparation for the Ethereum blockchain's upcoming transition from a Proof of Work (PoW) consensus mechanism to a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism. It's not a staking service (like Blox Staking, Coinbase, or Stake.fish), but an open-source protocol that allows an Ethereum validator to run across several non-trusting nodes.
Eth2 had a far more well-defined design, and cryptographic advancements had reduced the minimum stake to 32 ether. The Obol Network is a protocol that uses multi-operator validation to encourage trust and decrease staking. Using Distributed Validator Technology, the Network intends to strengthen Ethereum's robustness and decentralization by removing the technical single point(s) of failure that each validator client provides.
Through multi-operator validation, the Obol Network encourages trust and reduces staking. DVT introduces a new type of validator: one that runs on multiple machines and clients at the same time yet appears to the network as a single validator, Kyne said (2022). This allows a validator to remain operational even if a component fails.
What Distributed Validator Technology (DSV) through the Obol network is?
The main concern with Proof of Stake consensus is that it could quickly devolve into a centralised network. Because the capacity to arrange transactions and create new blocks is proportional to one's ETH holdings. Although the cost of becoming a validator is as low as 32 ETH, whales can set up a huge number of validators to control a substantial portion of the network, resulting in centralization. The network will be put in danger due to the vulnerable architecture of validation.
The original PoS architecture, in my opinion, might be regarded a consensus system backed up by lines. The Obol Network also allows grids to back up the consensus system. Because the original concept only provides one layer of decentralisation, Obol's distributed validator technology adds a double layer of protection.
What the problem is?
It is currently very difficult to run a validator's backup system in a secure manner. Active/Passive redundancy refers to the concept of having two independent validator systems that share the same private key and operate at different periods.
If your validator failover method is human rather than automated, you can't expect to be on call 24/7/365 if you're a lone node operator. Large operators, on the other hand, must select how many on-call engineers they require. If one machine fails during a shift, it's not a major concern; but if 100 nodes fail, can one engineer safely and swiftly failover all of them without any of them coming back to life and creating a slashing?
This isn't good enough. We believe that by eliminating points of technological failure in validator nodes, we may create a new design space for network validation and staking models to evolve.
Why it might help with decentralization on Ethereum 2.0 or other Proof-of-Stake chains?
Obol will create a Distributed Validator Technology infrastructure basic. DVT offers a new type of validator, one that runs on numerous machines and clients at the same time yet appears to the network as a single validator. This is known as Active/Active fault tolerance, and it allows your validator to stay online even if a portion of the computers fails.
Obol's purpose is to enable and empower people to share network management responsibilities. If your machine dies overnight as part of a distributed validator cluster, the other operators in your cluster will help you. When they are on vacation for a week and their node goes out of sync, you'll cover for them. We can create a new frontier of decentralisation if we can share the duty of running nodes.
Validators who work alone can have a backup. Staking companies can split the risk and gain. DeFi methods can increase the amount of staked ether they have. Risks associated with cloud providers can be mitigated by major institutions. Building fault-tolerant, distributed validator technology benefits everyone..