Welcome to the world of blockchain! In this guide, we will walk you through setting up a Hyperledger Fabric network using Kubernetes APIs on IBM Cloud. This process enables you to create a robust development environment, making it easier to work collaboratively on blockchain applications.

Why Use Hyperledger Fabric?

Hyperledger Fabric is a modular blockchain framework used for building permissioned networks. Think of it as a high-security vault where only authorized personnel can access sensitive transactions. It’s designed for enterprises, where trust and privacy matter.

Getting Started: Prerequisites

• Sign up for an IBM Cloud account.
• Install Node version 8.x or greater and npm version 5.x or greater from Node.js.

Steps to Deploy Hyperledger Fabric Network

Follow these steps to create and run your Hyperledger Fabric network:

1. Create a Kubernetes Cluster on IBM Cloud

Create a free Kubernetes cluster using the IBM Cloud Kubernetes Service. The setup will take about 15 minutes.

2. Setting up CLI Tools

• Install the IBM Cloud CLI.
• Install the Kubernetes CLI.
• Install the Kubernetes service plugin with the command: ibmcloud plugin install container-service -r Bluemix.

3. Gain Access to Your Kubernetes Cluster

Access the IBM Cloud Dashboard. Ensure your cluster status is normal. If it’s not, give it more time to provision.

4. Deploy Your Hyperledger Fabric Network

This process automatically provisions a sample Hyperledger Fabric network with four organizations, each maintaining one peer node. Here’s how:

• Clone the configuration scripts using git clone https://github.com/IBM/blockchain-network-on-kubernetes.
• Navigate to the source directory and modify the configuration files as needed.
• Run the appropriate setup script based on your Kubernetes server version:
• For Client version v1.12.x or higher, use setup_blockchainNetwork_v2.sh.
• For Client version v1.11.x, use setup_blockchainNetwork_v1.sh.
• Make the script executable with chmod +x setup_blockchainNetwork.sh and execute it.

5. Test Your Deployed Network

Check the status of your pods using kubectl get pods. You should see that the blockchain components are running smoothly.

6. View the Kubernetes Dashboard

Access the Kubernetes dashboard by navigating through the IBM Cloud portal to visualize your network’s health and performance.

7. Connect the Network Using Client SDK

To develop applications, you’ll need to connect to this network. Obtain the public IP of your Kubernetes cluster and set up the necessary SDKs.

Understanding the Code with an Analogy

Imagine building a city (your blockchain network) using various modular buildings (Kubernetes pods). Each building serves a unique function: some are homes (peer nodes), while others are administrative offices (orderers). Just like city planners need to ensure all buildings are interconnected with roads (network configuration), you need to set up your Kubernetes configuration files properly to ensure smooth communication between the components of your Hyperledger Fabric network.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues during setup or deployment, here are some tips:

• Ensure that your Kubernetes cluster is in a healthy state.
• Double-check the configuration files for correctness; a single typo can lead to failure.
• Confirm that your CLI tooling is properly installed by running kubectl version --short to validate.

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Conclusion

At fxis.ai, we believe that such advancements are crucial for the future of AI, as they enable more comprehensive and effective solutions. Our team is continually exploring new methodologies to push the envelope in artificial intelligence, ensuring that our clients benefit from the latest technological innovations.