Avalanche is a consensus protocol designed for high throughput, low latency, and scalability in blockchain networks. It introduces a novel approach to consensus that is neither classical nor Nakamoto-based, but rather a new family of protocols based on repeated random subsampling and metastability.
Key Features
- High throughput and low latency
- Scalability to thousands of nodes
- Robustness against attacks and failures
- Flexible and modular design
How does Avalanche consensus work?
Avalanche consensus works by having nodes repeatedly sample a small, random subset of other nodes to determine the state of the network. Through repeated rounds of voting and subsampling, the network quickly reaches consensus with high probability, even in the presence of faulty or malicious nodes.
Consensus Process
- Nodes propose transactions or blocks.
- Each node randomly selects a small subset of peers and queries their preferences.
- Nodes update their own preferences based on the responses.
- This process repeats for several rounds until consensus is reached.
Advantages
- Fast finality (sub-second to a few seconds)
- Energy efficient compared to proof-of-work
- Highly decentralized and permissionless