Last updated a year ago
Enterprises want to build Cardano applications but do not have the infrastructure to get started.
Create a proof-of-concept version of the Wolfram Enterprise Private Cloud (EPC) that runs and controls a Cardano node.
This is the total amount allocated to Wolfram Cardano Ent. Private Cloud.
Key Points:
Wolfram Technical Consulting has encountered demand for Wolfram Cardano EPC support for enterprise projects that wish to use the Cardano public blockchain.
EPC takes the unique benefits of the Wolfram technology stack and provides them in an environment that can be deployed both on premises and within cloud providers such as AWS (and other cloud providers soon). EPC allows companies to create rapid knowledge-driven applications using the Wolfram Language, Wolfram Notebooks and instant APIs, which can build microservice APIs that can be deployed to other front ends.
However, one of the many difficulties companies have is moving blockchain-based projects from public shared infrastructure like the Wolfram Public Cloud to their own managed infrastructure (on premises or in a cloud environment), like EPC, as they begin to scale their projects. Wolfram does not have a solution currently that allow EPCs to integrate and manage private Cardano nodes.
Our solution is to rebuild the middleware (a “system server” in our language) we use on our public cloud to support running Cardano nodes from within EPCs. This middleware solution would support a hybrid approach (the Wolfram Public Cloud, EPC on premises or a third-party cloud environment) and allow Wolfram Technical Consulting and external developers to build solutions to seamlessly move from publicly run infrastructure to private infrastructure with their own Cardano nodes.
Enabling support for such a hybrid environment would be better for the Cardano blockchain as it provides a more decentralized/distributed structure. In addition, support for hybrid environments would allow companies to easily move between development and deployment options.
Importantly, this is a proof-of-concept.
We will also look at release engineering needs of Cardano node packages, admin tools and other resources to figure out the process of updating the EPC package so that it is something that can be maintained and updated as Cardano node software updates.
I. Discovery Phase
If the project is not funded, we may wind it down and delay the completion until future funding rounds.
A. Cardano Node Operation
B. Enterprise Use Cases
II. Working Phase
III. Final
Supplemental Information:
The Fund9 DApps, Products & Integrations has several sections that describe the importance of the challenge and success.
One of the important aspects of creating and managing a vibrant decentralized ecosystem is ensuring there is a pathway for developers and companies to run their own infrastructure as opposed to solely relying on third-party-managed infrastructure.
While using third-party infrastructure makes sense in many cases, it’s important to have the option to move to on-premises systems or self-managed hardware solutions.
The Wolfram Cardano EPC is a way for companies to build knowledge-based applications that will have access to decentralized tools.
There are a few new technical things to execute on this project. At present, we already provide Cardano nodes in the Wolfram Public Cloud. However, rewriting the middleware to be compatible with EPC will require new tasks. In addition, we will need to identify the release engineering requirements to ensure that we can work on a schedule that will allow for an upgrade path for the Wolfram Cardano EPC.
I. Discovery Phase: July 1–October 1, 2022
If the project is not funded, we may wind it down and delay the completion until future funding rounds.
A. Cardano Node Operation
Evaluate:
• The tools to monitor and maintain Cardano nodes
• Maintenance support staff for handling Cardano upgrades on currently operating nodes
B. Enterprise Use Cases
Review:
• Private cloud blockchain use cases that are being experimented with by Fortune 1000 companies
• Release engineering for Cardano nodes
II. Working Phase: October 2, 2022–June 1, 2023
Develop:
• Integration of the Cardano node into EPC
• Sales materials that feature the Wolfram Cardano EPC
III. Final Phase: June 2, 2023–July 1, 2023
Presentation of proof of concept
Team Costs: 170,000 USD (documentation, programming, system administration and design)
Supplies & Hardware: 25,000 USD (hardware, books and other associated costs)
Marketing & Outreach: 5,000 USD (marketing budget to promote events)
Wolfram Blockchain Labs (WBL) will work with our parent company, Wolfram Research, on this project. As a result, we will use WBL’s team members and Wolfram Research’s Open Cloud and Enterprise Private Cloud team members to complete the tasks.
In addition, we will use WBL’s team members to work on the sales and marketing materials.
Researchers
Technical
Supplemental Information with Biographies:
Yes, this is a proof of concept. Once we've worked on this, we will return for additional funding for this project.
The number of:
Updates on the project:
The completion of the project will be measured using the following deliverables:
This is a new proposal.
NB: Monthly reporting was deprecated from January 2024 and replaced fully by the Milestones Program framework. Learn more here
Wolfram Blockchain Labs (WBL) has created middleware to run numerous nodes in our public cloud infrastructure. We will work with Wolfram Research, creator of EPC, to create an appropriate EPC system server.