Title: SimBlock: A Blockchain Network Simulator,
Abstract: Blockchain, which is a technology for distributedly managing ledger
information over multiple nodes without a centralized system, has elicited
increasing attention. Performing experiments on actual blockchains are
difficult because a large number of nodes in wide areas are necessary. In this
study, we developed a blockchain network simulator SimBlock for such
experiments. Unlike the existing simulators, SimBlock can easily change
behavior of node, so that it enables to investigate the influence of nodes'
behavior on blockchains. We compared some simulation results with the measured
values in actual blockchains to demonstrate the validity of this simulator.
Furthermore, to show practical usage, we conducted two experiments which
clarify the influence of neighbor node selection algorithms and relay networks
on the block propagation time. The simulator could depict the effects of the
two techniques on block propagation time. The simulator will be publicly
available in a few months.