Difference between revisions of "How Lightning Works"

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The Lightning Network is dependent upon the underlying technology of the blockchain. By using real [[Bitcoin]]/blockchain transactions and using its native smart-contract scripting language, it is possible to create a secure network of participants which are able to transact at high volume and high speed.
The Lightning Network is dependent upon the underlying technology of the blockchain. By using real [[Bitcoin]]/blockchain transactions and using its native smart-contract scripting language, it is possible to create a secure network of participants which are able to transact at high volume and high speed.


'''Aaron van Widum wrote an [https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/understanding-the-lightning-network-part-building-a-bidirectional-payment-channel-1464710791/ excellent introduction to lightning]. If you like video more, check [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PcR4HWJnkY this video] by Elisabeth Stark.'''
Quick Start: '''Aaron van Wirdum wrote an [https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/understanding-the-lightning-network-part-building-a-bidirectional-payment-channel-1464710791/ excellent introduction to lightning]. If you like video more, check [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3PcR4HWJnkY this video] by Elisabeth Stark.'''. Also, Aaron van Wirdum has a nice [https://bitcoinmagazine.com/articles/understanding-the-lightning-network-part-building-a-bidirectional-payment-channel-1464710791/ post on bitcoinmagazine].


= Paper and summary =
= Paper and summary =

Revision as of 16:57, 6 February 2019

The Lightning Network is dependent upon the underlying technology of the blockchain. By using real Bitcoin/blockchain transactions and using its native smart-contract scripting language, it is possible to create a secure network of participants which are able to transact at high volume and high speed.

Quick Start: Aaron van Wirdum wrote an excellent introduction to lightning. If you like video more, check this video by Elisabeth Stark.. Also, Aaron van Wirdum has a nice post on bitcoinmagazine.

Paper and summary

The paper: Lightning network paper, The summary: File:Lightning-network-summary.pdf.

Bidirectional Payment Channels

( Main Channels article )

Two participants create a ledger entry on the blockchain which requires both participants to sign off on any spending of funds. Both parties create transactions which refund the ledger entry to their individual allocation, but do not broadcast them to the blockchain. They can update their individual allocations for the ledger entry by creating many transactions spending from the current ledger entry output. Only the most recent version is valid, which is enforced by blockchain-parsable smart-contract scripting. This entry can be closed out at any time by either party without any trust or custodianship by broadcasting the most recent version to the blockchain.

Lightning Network

By creating a network of these two-party ledger entries, it is possible to find a path across the network similar to routing packets on the internet. The nodes along the path are not trusted, as the payment is enforced using a script which enforces the atomicity (either the entire payment succeeds or fails) via decrementing time-locks.

Blockchain as Arbiter

As a result, it is possible to conduct transactions off-blockchain without limitations. Transactions can be made off-chain with confidence of on-blockchain enforceability. This is similar to how one makes many legal contracts with others, but one does not go to court every time a contract is made. By making the transactions and scripts parsable, the smart-contract can be enforced on-blockchain. Only in the event of non-cooperation is the court involved – but with the blockchain, the result is deterministic.

SOURCE Text based on http://lightning.network/how-it-works/ .