Fault Tolerance Bounds

Definition ∞ Fault tolerance bounds define the maximum number or proportion of failures a system can endure while still operating correctly and maintaining its intended functionality. In distributed computing, this quantifies the system’s resilience against component malfunctions, network issues, or malicious attacks. Exceeding these bounds typically leads to system degradation or complete failure. These bounds are a critical metric for assessing the reliability and security of decentralized networks.
Context ∞ In blockchain technology, fault tolerance bounds are frequently discussed in relation to consensus mechanisms, particularly Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT). News reports often analyze how different protocols perform under varying fault conditions, impacting network security and transaction finality. The ability to operate within these bounds is a key factor in the stability and trustworthiness of digital asset systems. Ongoing research aims to extend these limits while maintaining efficiency.