Cloud Blockchains: An Introduction to Blockchain on the Cloud

Cloud Blockchains: An Introduction to Blockchain on the Cloud

• discover the key concepts covered in this course
• recognize the benefits of recording transaction data on a blockchain
• identify some of the available blockchain solutions on the market along with their pros and cons
• list the fundamental requirements for most enterprises with regards to blockchain solutions
• describe the steps which need to be followed to set up a blockchain network from scratch and recognize how cloud-based blockchain solutions simplify the process
• summarize the features available on the Azure Blockchain Workbench to create blockchain applications
• identify the details which need to be included in the configuration file for an Azure Blockchain Workbench application
• list the features of the Amazon Managed Blockchain service
• identify Azure Blockchain Workbench files and describe blockchain services available on AWS

Blockchain technology has been covered regularly in the news in recent years, and many businesses have been looking to adopt this potentially transformative tool used by supply chain management and real estate sales firms, among others. In this multiple-video course, you will look at the primary reasons for use and benefits provided to organizations seeking to record transaction data on a blockchain. The course covers the provisioning and management of instances of configuration and development of blockchains, smart contracts, and applications. This process can be simplified by using a cloud-based managed blockchain service. Explore blockchain programming options available, and learn how to set up and build a blockchain network from scratch. Then review features of the two biggest cloud-based managed blockchain services, Microsoft Azure Blockchain Workbench and the Amazon Managed Blockchain, services allowing users to focus on blockchain-based applications and handling scaffolding in the setup of the blockchain network. Learn the benefits of using a managed blockchain service to set up and build blockchain networks and applications in the cloud.

Cloud Blockchains: Building Apps on the Azure Blockchain Workbench

Cloud Blockchains: Building Apps on the Azure Blockchain Workbench

• discover the key concepts covered in this course
• provision a blockchain network using Azure Blockchain Workbench
• use the Azure Active Directory service to grant access to users of the blockchain application
• initialize the web UI for the Azure Blockchain Workbench using the Azure Cloud Shell
• define the underlying smart contract for the blockchain application to track the transfer of an asset
• create a configuration file for the blockchain application that defines its roles and workflows
• deploy a blockchain application and add members who can access it
• create a new instance of the deployed asset transfer application
• submit a request for the asset and respond to the request as the asset owner
• add a new member to the deployed asset transfer application and submit a request for the asset as that new member
• terminate a contract by transitioning it to a failed state
• describe workflows in the configuration file for an Azure Blockchain Workbench application and list the characteristics of roles in an Azure Blockchain Workbench application

Learn how to use the Azure Blockchain Workbench application through this practical 12-video course, which focuses on setting up a blockchain network and the development and deployment of an application on that network. The course requires having an account on Microsoft’s Azure Service. Explore some of the features on Azure’s dashboard; learn how to set up resource groups and use the Azure marketplace; and learn to create users for the application on Azure's Active Directory. See how to build a full-fledged blockchain application by defining just two files, a smart contract written in Solidity, and an accompanying config file with definitions of workflows and transitions. Then code an application to record a transfer of an asset from one user to the other using a well-defined workflow. See how to track provisioning of the Blockchain Workbench and provisioned resources and to use Workbench to provision a VM. At the end of this course, you will be able to build your own blockchain application.

Cloud Blockchains: Multi-Organization Networks on Amazon Managed Blockchain

Cloud Blockchains: Multi-Organization Networks on Amazon Managed Blockchain

• discover the key concepts covered in this course
• provision the client user and security group for the second organization in the blockchain network
• create a proposal on AWS Managed Blockchain to extend an invitation to another AWS account to join a blockchain network
• join a blockchain network on AWS Managed Blockchain that your organization has been invited to
• set up the client EC2 instance for the second organization in the blockchain network
• download and install Fabric CA for the client instance of the second organization in the blockchain network
• copy the admin and root CA certificates of the second organization to the blockchain network creator in order to set up a two-organization channel
• create a Hyperledger Fabric channel spanning two organizations on a blockchain network
• install and instantiate chaincode on the multi-organization channel
• invoke queries and transactions on the deployed chaincode from both organizations on the blockchain network and confirm that each is able to view the changes made by the other
• describe proposals in AWS Managed Blockchain and deploy chaincode on a channel

In this 11-video course, you will discover how to set up a Hyperledger Fabric network spanning two organizations using AWS (Amazon Web Services) Managed Blockchain. This course builds on previous courses in which users learned how to set up a Hyperledger Fabric network for one organization. This course requires access to a second AWS account, which can be invited to join the Fabric network you have created—another department within your company, or another company. You will learn the process of voting for a new member to participate in the network and how to initialize a client and peer for the second organization. As you progress, you will set up a private channel where both organizations can record their transactions. Then you will deploy chain code for the two-organization channel and interact with it from both organizations, enabling you to build Hyperledger Fabric network for your own organization and their partners, to deploy smart contracts and applications to record transactions in a secure blockchain network. 

Cloud Blockchains: Single Organization Networks on Amazon Managed Blockchain

Cloud Blockchains: Single Organization Networks on Amazon Managed Blockchain

• discover the key concepts covered in this course
• create a policy and set up a user on AWS that will be used by the client of the Hyperledger Fabric network
• provision a security group on AWS that will be required by the Hyperledger Fabric network to be set up using AWS Managed Blockchain
• set up and configure an EC2 instance that will be used as a client to interact with the blockchain network
• use the AWS console to provision and configure a single organization blockchain network using the AWS Managed Blockchain service
• connect to the shell of the EC2 instance set up previously as the client user
• install Docker, Go, and other tools required to set up a client for a Hyperledger Fabric Network
• use the client EC2 instance to download and install the Fabric CA client
• code up the Init and Invoke methods of a Hyperledger Fabric smart contract in the Go language
• develop the functions required in a smart contract to serve as a database of vehicles
• create a peer node on the Fabric network for the organization
• configure and instantiate a channel for the single organization Fabric network
• install, instantiate, and interact with the smart contract that functions as a database of vehicles
• describe the voting policy for a network on AWS Managed Blockchain and list the two methods that need to be implemented in chaincode for Hyperledger Fabric

In this course, you will discover how to set up a Hyperledger Fabric modular blockchain network for a single organization by using Amazon Managed Blockchain. Course participants should already have set up an Amazon Web Services (AWS) account. A Hyperledger Fabric modular blockchain acts as a foundation for developing blockchain based products, solutions and applications. This course demonstration begins by provisioning and configuring users, policies, and security groups for the blockchain network. Next, learn how to provision the network, including an ordering service and certificate of authority. Learn how to set up a client to interact with the network and initialize a peer for the organization. As you progress, learn how to deploy a smart contract (chaincode) to the network. During this course, you will acquire the skills needed to record transaction information on a blockchain with a focus on the development of applications. By the end of this course, you will be able to set up your own Hyperledger Fabric network on AWS, using their Managed Blockchain service.