Sharding is a database partitioning technique used to increase blockchain scalability. Essentially, sharding divides a blockchain network into small partitions called “shards.” Each shard is responsible for a portion of the data of the blockchain, being independent from other shards and reducing unnecessary computational load.
Sharding Function
Increase Throughput
The main function of sharding is to increase the transaction capacity per second (throughput) of the blockchain. By dividing the network into independent shards, the ability to process more transactions simultaneously increases.
Splitting Data
Each shard operates independently, storing a portion of the data of the entire blockchain. This enables data storage and processing efficiency, reducing network latency.
Maintaining Decentralization
Even though there is data separation, the principle of decentralization is still maintained. The distributed ledger remains accessible to every node, ensuring network security and transparency.
Example of Sharding
Distribution Based on Transaction Type
For example, sharding can be done by dividing shards based on transaction type. For example, one shard can process certain cryptocurrency transactions, while another shard takes care of other types of transactions.
Digital Asset Based Sharding
Sharding implementation can also be based on the type of digital asset. A single shard may be responsible for storing and validating transactions involving a particular type of asset, creating an efficient and organized structure.
Random Node Rotation
In some cases, nodes in a shard network may be randomly rotated to other shards. This makes it difficult to attack, optimizing network security.
How Safe is Sharding?
Sharding has been criticized for potentially reducing blockchain decentralization and security. Shards can become corrupted, with one shard taking over another shard, which can lead to loss of information or data. For example, a hacking attack could take over a shard and introduce fraudulent transactions, causing confusion among other shards regarding the validity of the data.
How Does Ethereum Use Sharding?
Ethereum plans to use sharding as part of its scaling approach to increase blockchain throughput. The network will introduce 64 new shard chains in the future, which will have different responsibilities and will greatly reduce the workload of the Ethereum mainnet, called the Beacon Chain.
This process will occur as part of Ethereum's scaling that sees a switch to proof-of-stake as a consensus mechanism. This switch is referred to as Merge. Sharding will be one of the next steps for Ethereum in its scale roadmap.
Conclusion
By understanding the concept of sharding, blockchain can overcome its scalability barriers. Sharding brings significant benefits in increasing throughput, data management efficiency, and maintaining decentralization. In the blockchain development roadmap, sharding is an important step to realize the vision of a network that is faster, more secure, and accessible to a wide range of users.
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DISCLAIMER: This article is informational in nature and is not an offer or solicitation 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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