Network Sharding

Definition ∞ Network sharding is a database partitioning technique applied to blockchain networks to improve scalability. It divides the network into smaller, independent segments called “shards,” each capable of processing its own set of transactions and maintaining its own state. This allows for parallel transaction processing, significantly increasing the overall throughput of the blockchain. Each shard processes a fraction of the network’s total operations.
Context ∞ Network sharding is a highly anticipated solution for addressing the scalability limitations of many popular blockchain protocols. News reports often detail the progress of major networks implementing or researching sharding solutions, such as Ethereum’s transition to a sharded architecture. The primary challenge involves ensuring secure and efficient communication between different shards. Successful deployment of network sharding is considered a pivotal step towards widespread blockchain adoption.