DataCube-Overview

VeraeLLC's Blockchain Timestamping Service

Project Description

VeraeLLC's Blockchain Timestamping Service is designed to provide a secure and verifiable method for timestamping digital content. It leverages blockchain technology to ensure that once data is timestamped, its existence at a given time can be proven indefinitely. This service is particularly useful for:

• Record Keeping: Legal documents, patents, or any official records.
• Intellectual Property: Proving the creation date of artistic works.
• Data Integrity: Ensuring that data has not been altered since it was timestamped.

Project Overview

This project implements a minimalistic blockchain for timestamping purposes with the following components:

• Blockchain Core: Using Go for creating a blockchain where each block contains the hash of the data being timestamped along with a timestamp.
• API Layer: HTTP endpoints for user interaction, including timestamping data and health checks.
• Multihash Support: Flexibility to use different hashing algorithms through the multiformats/multihash library.
• Local Storage: JSON Lines format for storing blockchain data and logs locally, with future plans for database integration.
• Docker Support: For easy deployment and development.

Features

Completed:

• Blockchain Implementation: A basic blockchain with support for multihash.
• HTTP Server: Handles requests for timestamping and health checks.
• Configuration Management: YAML configuration for server settings, storage, and security.
• Authentication: Simple JWT authentication to protect the API.
• Basic Queueing: Uses Go channels for request handling simulation.

In Progress or Planned:

• Database Integration: Moving from file storage to a scalable database.
• Advanced Security: HTTPS, improved JWT handling, and additional security features.
• Error Handling and Logging: More detailed error messages and structured logging.
• Testing: Comprehensive unit and integration tests.
• User Interface: A web frontend for easier user interaction.

Getting Started

Access to private repos is required

Prerequisites

• Go (version 1.18 or later)
• Docker (for containerization)
• Git (for version control)

Installation

1. Clone the repository:

   git clone git@github.com:VeraeLLC/timestamping-service.git
   cd timestamping-service