Ethereum: why a block size limit is always in place and how it could affect the network
In May 2015, the co-founder Ethereum Vitalik Buterin introduced a hard fork of the network, which allowed the creation of smaller block sizes. This decision aimed to increase transaction costs, improve scalability and reduce congestion on the network. Over time, the block size limit has remained unchanged despite increasing concerns about its impact on the performance of the platform.
Why the block size limit?
The main reason to maintain the block size limit is to maintain a balance between the need to prevent spam and the desire to maintain the transaction costs as low as possible. By allowing minors to operate blocks with larger block sizes, they are encouraged to reduce their mining costs. This, in turn, leads to a drop in transaction costs and increased congestion of the network.
However, some maintain that this approach has become obsolete, especially when you consider the progress of calculation power and storage technology. According to the estimates of the own study of the Ethereum Foundation, the average size of the block on the network is currently around 2 to 3 mega -typles (MB), while the cost of storage for a single block is less than $ 10.
The risks of exceeding the block size limit
Although the maintenance of the block size limit in place may seem an effective way to maintain the stability of the network, it can actually cause problems with performance and safety. Here are some potential risks associated with exceeding the block size limit:
* Increase in congestion : with larger block sizes, more data is stored on the network, leading to increased congestion and slowness of slower transactions.
* Reduced scalability : larger blocks require more storage space and calculation resources, which can become a bottleneck for nodes with limited capacity.
* Security risks : Exverting the block size limit could also lead to security vulnerabilities, because minors can try to exploit larger blocks with less secure methods, such as execution malicious scripts.
Alternative solutions
So why not simply increase the block size limit? There are several reasons for this:
* Congestion of the network : As mentioned above, the increase in the block size of the block can lead to increased congestion and slowest transactions processing times.
* Limitations of scalability : The Ethereum blockchain is designed to take care of around 14 to 15 transactions per second (TPS), which means that larger blocks would require significant infrastructure upgrades or additions of knot capacity.
* Safety presentations
: The increase in the block size of the block without appropriate safety measures could lead to safety vulnerabilities and a decrease in user confidence.
What is the next one?
Although the Ethereum Foundation has recognized some of these concerns, they always maintain that the size limit of the current block is necessary to maintain the stability of the network. However, there are discussions underway on potential changes or upgrades of the network, such as:
* Increase in the size of the block : Some proposals suggest increasing the size of the block of its current 4 MB (256 KB) to a higher value.
* Implementation of better optimizations
: The Ethereum Foundation has already implemented various optimizations and upgrades to improve network performance.
* Explore alternative solutions : the researchers have proposed alternative solutions, such as the fractures or chain scaling mechanisms, which could potentially increase the block size of the block without compromising security.
In the end, the debate around the block size of the block is underway, and it is essential to consider both sides of the argument. Although some may affirm that maintaining the current limits in place will maintain the stability of the network, others think that the increase in the block size limit can improve performance and safety.