Network Layer

Definition ∞ The network layer refers to the foundational communication protocols and infrastructure that allow individual nodes in a blockchain system to connect and exchange data. This layer facilitates the broadcast of transactions and blocks across the distributed network, ensuring information propagation among participants. It is responsible for the peer-to-peer connectivity that underpins decentralized operation.
Context ∞ Discussions about the network layer in crypto news often involve improvements to transaction propagation efficiency or resistance to network-level attacks. Developments like the Lightning Network or other layer-two solutions aim to enhance the scalability and speed of transactions above this base layer. Understanding its function is essential for comprehending how decentralized networks maintain their global state and transaction throughput.