Indy Nodes

An Indy Node, is the server-side component responsible for managing a distributed ledger specifically designed for self-sovereign identity (SSI). Following are the core functionalities and how it contributes to the TrustGrid ecosystem:

Core Functionalities:

• Ledger Management: Indy Nodes act as validators on the distributed ledger, maintaining a secure and tamper-proof record of all transactions related to identities within the network. These transactions include:

• DID (Decentralized Identifier) creation and revocation

• Issuance and revocation of verifiable credentials (VCs)

• Schema and credential definition registration

Two Types of Nodes: Indy Node implementations typically offer two types of nodes: validator nodes and observer nodes.

• Validator nodes participate in the consensus mechanism and maintain the ledger's state.

• Observer nodes can view the ledger state but don't participate in consensus.

Benefits of Indy Nodes:

• Decentralization: Unlike traditional identity management systems with a central authority, Indy Nodes distribute the ledger across multiple nodes, eliminating a single point of failure and promoting user control over their identities.

• Security: The BFT consensus protocol and cryptographic operations ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data stored on the ledger.

• Scalability: The distributed ledger architecture allows the network to scale efficiently as the number of users and transactions grows.

• Interoperability: Indy Nodes adhere to open standards, enabling them to interact with other SSI ecosystems built using Hyperledger Indy.

Indy Nodes are the backbone of our current SSI solution. By managing the distributed ledger, facilitating secure transactions, and supporting cryptographic operations, they create a secure and decentralized environment for user-controlled identities. Their modular architecture and open standards foster interoperability and scalability within the broader SSI landscape.