Which IBM Blockchain Platform plan requires the SOLO ordering service?

The Starter plan of the IBM Blockchain Platform is specifically designed for development and learning purposes, which is why it utilizes the SOLO ordering service. SOLO ordering is a single-node ordering system that is easy to set up and is best suited for scenarios where a developer wants to test and experiment with blockchain applications without the complexities of a multi-node setup.

This planning approach encourages individuals and small teams to create proofs of concept and conduct experiments in a controlled environment. It allows developers to interface with the blockchain and understand the fundamental functionalities without needing the additional resources that more robust plans would require.

In contrast, other plans, such as Enterprise and Professional, are geared towards production environments and require more complex ordering services, typically involving multiple nodes for fault tolerance and scalability, reflecting the needs of businesses that need to manage high transaction volumes and require greater security and performance.