Constant Communication Overhead

Definition ∞ Constant communication overhead refers to the continuous data exchange required between different components or nodes in a distributed system. This ongoing communication is necessary for maintaining synchronization, relaying information, or coordinating tasks. While essential for distributed operation, it can introduce latency and consume network resources. Minimizing this overhead is a design goal for efficient decentralized systems.
Context ∞ In blockchain and decentralized application development, constant communication overhead is a significant factor discussed in news concerning network performance. It impacts the scalability and efficiency of protocols, particularly for cross-chain interactions or layer-two solutions. Innovations frequently target reducing this overhead to enhance transaction speed and reduce operational costs.