Polkadot JAM explained: Trustless multi-core supercomputer to power the future of Web3

Web3 maxims: The core principles of decentralization

Promising a decentralized, equitable and secure digital ecosystem that empowers users and developers equally, Web3 technologies are built on the foundations of the decentralized revolution: resilience, universality, coherency and accessibility.

Resilience ensures systems remain operational despite failures or attacks, as demonstrated by Bitcoin’s decentralized network, which avoids single points of failure. Additionally, generality supports diverse use cases, such as decentralized finance (DeFi) and gaming, enabling the development of decentralized applications (DApps) tailored to various needs.

The architectural difference between Web2 and Web3 applications. Source: Polkadot

Coherence ensures that data and transaction processes adhere to initial standards, regardless of the network’s size or complexity. Meanwhile, accessibility bridges the gap between innovation and adoption, making systems usable for both developers and non-technical users.

However, most blockchain architectures need help delivering on these maxims simultaneously. Resilience often limits generality, while high fees and poor performance hinder generality. While scaling challenges coherency, accessibility remains a barrier for non-crypto-native users. These gaps highlight the need for advancements that balance the core principles of decentralization — challenges Polkadot aims to address.

How does Polkadot solve scalability, and why does it need to evolve?

Designed with Web3 principles in mind, Polkadot’s architecture embraces the principles of decentralization by addressing scalability challenges. At its core is the relay chain, which provides shared security and communication for its connected parachains — specialized blockchains optimized for specific tasks . This setup allows the network to scale horizontally by adding new parachains without overburdening the main network.

Polkadot’s approach enhances interoperability, enabling parachains to exchange information and assets seamlessly while maintaining high levels of resilience and generality.

Despite these advancements, Polkadot faces challenges that limit its potential. One significant issue is persistent state partitioning, where each parachain operates as an isolated shard with restricted access to the states of other chains. While this design enhances scalability, it creates fragmentation, making crosschain interactions complex and less efficient. Additionally, onboarding new parachains can be resource-intensive, and operational costs may deter smaller projects, undermining accessibility.

In response, Polkadot introduced JAM , a transformative approach designed to push decentralization to new heights.

What is JAM? The Web3 supercomputer

JAM, short for Join-Accumulate Machine, is a trustless, multicore supercomputer designed to redefine decentralized computing in the Web3 era. Described as the foundation of a “Web3 Cloud,” JAM eliminates the need for traditional servers, enabling DApps to operate seamlessly in a trustless environment. By aligning with the Web3 maxims of resilience, generality and accessibility, JAM offers an infrastructure that scales beyond the limitations of current blockchain systems.

🔦 ✨ Spotlight on: JAM Day at Sub0 Reset

Polkadot co-founder, educator and DJ, Gavin Wood closed out Sub0 Reset with JAM Day: A deep dive into the latest project that plans to transform Web3 and Polkadot.

Missed the talk? Here are some key highlights 👇

🍓 First, what is JAM?… pic.twitter.com/ahB8oQE36t

— Polkadot (@Polkadot) November 13, 2024

Unlike centralized cloud services like Amazon Web Services (AWS) or Google Cloud, which rely on physical servers controlled by corporations, JAM operates through a decentralized network where resources are distributed across multiple nodes. The decentralization removes single points of failure and eliminates reliance on intermediaries.

With an estimated storage capacity of 1.6 petabytes, JAM combines data hosting and computational functionality, offering computational power equivalent to hundreds of high-performance processors. In short, JAM creates an ecosystem capable of supporting everything from DApps to complex machine learning (ML) models.

How does JAM make Web3 more accessible?

Maintaining coherency as networks scale is a major challenge for blockchain systems. Traditional architectures often divide state data across shards or independent chains, causing inefficiencies in communication and resource allocation. State partitioning complicates crosschain interactions and impairs user experience. Combined with high fees and slow execution times, it deters non-crypto-native users.

JAM addresses these issues with its “mostly coherent shared RAM,” enabling multiple cores to access shared data with minimal latency. The model ensures data remains coherent and easily retrievable at scale, eliminating fragmentation. By reducing operational complexity, it makes DApps more efficient and cost-effective. Developers benefit from simpler APIs and predictable performance, while users enjoy faster, cheaper and more reliable transactions.

JAM uses Refine for computations, Accumulate for updating state, and OnTransfer for handling external data. Source: Polkadot

To further enhance performance, JAM employs core affinity, tying specific data to specific cores to reduce I/O stalls. Similar to CPU caching, frequently accessed data stays close to the processor, minimizing latency. Tasks executed on the same core gain immediate access while moving data between cores involves slight overhead.

By solving scalability bottlenecks and usability barriers, JAM fosters an environment where decentralized solutions can thrive, supporting a wide range of applications — even games.

Is it possible to run Doom on JAM? And beyond?

Running Doom on JAM isn’t just a bold claim — it’s a real possibility that showcases the capabilities of Polkadot’s Web3 supercomputer. Unlike traditional blockchains, which are primarily designed for financial transactions or data storage, JAM supports agnostic execution, virtual machines and complex applications. Hosting a game like Doom demonstrates JAM’s ability to function as a general-purpose computing platform, rivaling traditional centralized systems.

Doom is an iconic video game released in 1993, known for pioneering 3D graphics.

Why Doom? Beyond its iconic status in gaming, Doom serves as a metaphor for JAM’s versatility and technical prowess. Successfully running such an application onchain proves that JAM can handle dynamic and demanding workloads. This feat, which no traditional blockchain has even attempted, demonstrates that JAM can support a wide range of use cases, paving the way for AI models, management systems and decentralized cloud applications.

Imagine a decentralized cloud where AI algorithms can run securely, medical data can be processed without centralized intermediaries, or multiplayer games can operate without centralized servers. JAM’s multi-core architecture and ability to combine data hosting with compute functionality make these possibilities a reality.

Could decentralized systems rival centralized cloud services?

JAM’s design competes with centralized cloud services like AWS or Google Cloud through a four-step process: Authorize, Refine, Accumulate and Transfer. In order, they validate payments, perform calculations, update the database and handle communication between services. With this holistic structure, JAM ensures that even complex processes run smoothly in a decentralized environment.

Imagine JAM’s operations as a bustling coffee shop. Each waitperson (or JAM core) processes orders independently, from taking requests to delivering drinks. Orders are bundled upfront, payments are pre-settled, and each step flows seamlessly. This scenario mirrors JAM’s multi-core execution model, where tasks run in parallel across cores. Related tasks are grouped efficiently, follow a specific sequence and progress asynchronously, reducing delays and maximizing throughput.

The coffee shop metaphor can be exemplified in a much wider range of ways. JAM’s decentralized architecture extends to industries like healthcare (secure data processing), finance (scalable DApps) and gaming (massive multiplayer experiences) without the need for centralized servers. By overcoming barriers like high costs and intermediary reliance, JAM provides a compelling alternative to traditional cloud giants.

What’s next for JAM and Polkadot?

JAM is set to redefine Polkadot’s identity and the broader Web3 ecosystem with a roadmap of ambitious milestones for decentralized computing.

Starting in Q4 2024, Coreboot will bootstrap JAM’s network by enabling DApp deployment, assigning validator roles, managing balances and establishing its foundational operations. By Q1 2025, CoreVM will showcase JAM’s versatility by running complex programs, such as C++ or Rust binaries, directly onchain, including demonstrations like Doom.

In Q3 2025, CoreChains will integrate JAM into Polkadot’s ecosystem. It will replace the relay chain with a dynamic hosting service for layer-1 blockchains, enabling secure communication and seamless integration with JAM’s multi-core infrastructure. By Q4 2025, CorePlay will introduce an actor-based platform for virtual machines to collaborate, supporting both synchronous and asynchronous interactions and unlocking advanced use cases from EVM contracts to indefinite-running programs.

With its scalable, decentralized and interoperable architecture, JAM targets Web3’s most pressing challenges. By tackling scalability, enhancing coherency and advancing accessibility, JAM is building a strong foundation for transformative change. As similar innovations emerge across the industry, a truly interoperable and scalable Web3 future appears within reach.

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