A Simple and Efficient Binary Byzantine Consensus Algorithm using Cryptography and Partial Synchrony

Abstract: This paper describes a simple and efficient Binary Byzantine faulty tolerant consensus algorithm using a weak round coordinator and the partial synchrony assumption to ensure liveness. In the algorithm, non-faulty nodes perform an initial broadcast followed by a executing a series of rounds consisting of a single message broadcast until termination. Each message is accompanied by a cryptographic proof of its validity. In odd rounds the binary value 1 can be decided, in even round 0. Up to one third of the nodes can be faulty and termination is ensured within a number of round of a constant factor of the number of faults. Experiments show termination can be reached in less than 200 milliseconds with 300 Amazon EC2 instances spread across 5 continents even with partial initial disagreement.