Asynchronous Network

Definition ∞ An asynchronous network is a distributed system where message delivery times between nodes are not guaranteed or bounded. Participants communicate without a global clock or fixed timing assumptions for message propagation. This architectural style contrasts with synchronous systems where messages arrive within a known time frame. Such networks introduce complexities for maintaining consistent state across all nodes.
Context ∞ Most public blockchain networks inherently operate as asynchronous systems due to the unpredictable nature of internet communication. Designing robust consensus algorithms for these environments is a critical challenge, balancing fault tolerance with performance. Debates often address how to achieve finality and security without strict timing assumptions, influencing the scalability and reliability of decentralized applications.