When you read the title, don't rush to think about ghosts. LMD GHOST is an important element in the Ethereum network. Let's discuss it in more depth in this article!
Understanding LMD GHOST
The GHOST LMD, or GHOST Protocol, functions as a fork election rule designed to facilitate agreement among nodes in a blockchain network regarding the legal status of the ledger. Its main mission is to resolve disputes about the legitimacy of transactions.
Using a gradual voting process, nodes collaborate to select the "heaviest" or most legitimate new blocks. This weighted voting not only aims for faster consensus, but also strengthens security against attempts to tamper with the ledger.
Countering Attacks
A potential threat to be aware of is a “balance attack” that aims to split consensus between two competing ledger versions. To overcome this attack, Ethereum developers modified LMD GHOST to encourage confirmation on only one fork.
This change ensures that nodes are committed to a single chain, encouraging the continuous building of new blocks. This adaptation has successfully protected Ethereum from major balance attacks to date. Continuous monitoring and adjustments to the GHOST LMD remain a priority to thwart attacks that threaten the consensus.
How LMD GHOST Works
LMD GHOST, as an extension of the GHOST protocol, operates as a fork selection rule in the Ethereum consensus protocol. Here is an understanding of the mechanism:
- Starting from the justified block, the last block that has been finalized by the network.
- Each child from the justified block is evaluated to select the optimal one, determined by the highest score.
- Scores are calculated based on the number of blocks that refer to the considered block, with an emphasis on the more referenced blocks.
- This process is repeated recursively until a block appears as the head of the chain.
LMD GHOST's efficiency surpasses other fork selection rules by considering the entire block tree rather than just the longest chain. Paired with the Casper finality gadget, this contributes to offering guaranteed finality for blocks.
LMD GHOST Performance
Designed for superior performance and scalability, LMD GHOST enables Ethereum to handle faster transaction speeds and higher throughput compared to Bitcoin.
However, increasing adoption has revealed limitations, with network congestion and high gas costs posing challenges. Further refinement of this protocol is needed to fully unlock its potential.
Distinguish LMD GHOST and Ethereum GHOST Protocol
The GHOST protocol forms the basis for the GHOST LMD, serving as a fork selection rule in the Ethereum consensus protocol. LMD GHOST is proven to be robust against forgery and revision of Ethereum transaction records through its multi-stage voting process, adding a level of complexity for potential attackers.
Although concerns about balanced attacks still exist, the preventive measures implemented have proven effective. Additional mechanisms to discourage and sanction such attacks could offer greater overall protection.
Melampau Ethereum
LMD GHOST's implications extend beyond Ethereum, offering the potential to improve blockchain technology in general. The voting approach he pioneered could accelerate and democratize consensus, potentially increasing transaction speed and efficiency on other public blockchains that adopt similar protocols.
A more inclusive consensus is in line with the democratic spirit of cryptocurrencies. Of course, LMD GHOST itself needs further improvements to optimize all these benefits.
Read also:
What is Ethereum Casper? Why is it Important?
What is Ethereum Plasma and How It Works
What is Byzantium Fork: Features and Its Impact On Ethereum Network
DISCLAIMER: This article is informational in nature and is not an offer or invitation to sell or buy any crypto assets. Trading crypto assets is a high-risk activity. Crypto asset prices are volatile, where prices can change significantly from time to time and Bittime is not responsible for changes in fluctuations in crypto asset exchange rates
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