Proposal: Use NTP Timestamps in Consensus Messages

fed-franz commented 6 months ago

Summary

This DIP proposes to make nodes leverage NTP for constructing and verifying consensus messages timestamps.

Having a reliable timestamp is pre-requisite to enable or support features like:

Autocontracts (eg, have actions triggered by reaching a specific time)
Slashing provisioners working on multiple branches at the same time
Prevent withholding attacks, where ratified blocks are kept hidden and then published at a later time

Possible solution design or implementation

A classic server-based NTP can be used in the first implementation. In a subsequent version, this should be replaced with a P2P NTP or other distributed protocol.

Additional context

Related Issues:

13
14

herr-seppia commented 6 months ago

Proposal and Ratification already have a timestamp field

fed-franz commented 6 months ago

Proposal and Ratification already have a timestamp field

I updated the DIP to only make these timestamps based on NTP

dusk-network / dips