CRYPTOCURRENCY
Ethereum: Why doesn’t Bitcoin use a DHT for choosing peers?
The mystery of discovering Ethereum companion: To explore the difference between DHT and Gossip protocols
The world of cryptocurrency world is known for its decentralized networks, but one aspect is covered with a mystery: how Bitcoin selects its peers for transactions. The two popular competitors of the task are DHT (directly on Threshold) and rumors, such as Cademia Xor. In this article, we are immersed in the differences between the two approaches, and why Ethereum developers have chosen the protocol of rumors above DHT.
DHT: decentralized hash table
DHT is a decentralized index-based storage system that allows nodes to share the data in a peer-to-peer way. Behind DHTS is the idea of creating a shared directory that contains all files or data available on the network. When a new node is connected to the network, create an entry in this directory and share your own files with other nodes.
Although DHTs can be useful to share large amounts of data, there are certain restrictions in discovering companions. In order to find new nodes to interact, DHTS relies on a central index that lists all available companions. If indexing is not performed efficiently, it can lead to poor performance and reduced scalability.
Gossip protocols: decentralized convergence
The rumor protocol, such as the Cademmia Xor, is designed to discover companions in decentralized networks. It works by sending queries to each other several times with several nodes (companions) to discover new relationships. Their most effective companions are the ones that are closest in the distance and have not yet been asked.
Cademmia Xor is a distance between researchers because of its simplicity and efficiency. It works: When a node sends a query, the answer contains all nodes ID within a certain distance (xor) from the sender. The receiving node then uses this information to find new companions that are closer than before.
Why do you choose Ethereum Gossip over DHT
So, why didn’t the Ethereum team choose DHT when planning its network? There are many reasons:
* Scalability : As the number of nodes on the network increases, indexing in DHTS becomes a significant issue. A gossip protocol like Cademmia Xor distance, each node only has to maintain contact details with their closest companions, facilitating the scale.
* Power : Rumor protocols are generally faster and more efficient than DHT-based index systems. If you send the nodes periodically, you can quickly discover new relationships and reduce the time spent during repeated interactions.
* Safety : Although both approaches have disadvantages, rumors protocols provide better anonymity and safety due to the decentralized nature of the node node communication.
Conclusion
The choice between the DHT and the Gossip protocol, such as the Kademia Xor, depends on the specific requirements of the network. In the case of Ethereum, developers chose a gossip protocol to ensure the discovery, scalability and performance of effective companions. Although DHT can be useful in certain scenarios, they often result in restrictions that are less suitable for complex decentralized networks.
As the cryptocurrency landscape develops further, it will be interesting to see how various protocols adapt and improve their approach to discovering companions. One thing, however, is certain: the pursuit of efficient and scalable networks is a critical aspect of building secure and flexible blockchain ecosystems.
