Optimal Communication Overhead

Definition ∞ Optimal communication overhead describes the minimal amount of data transmission and processing required for nodes in a distributed network to coordinate and maintain system integrity. Achieving optimal overhead means designing protocols that efficiently convey necessary information without excessive redundancy or latency. This efficiency is crucial for the scalability and responsiveness of blockchain networks. It directly impacts transaction speed and network capacity.
Context ∞ In the realm of blockchain technology, achieving optimal communication overhead is a persistent challenge, especially for large, decentralized networks. News about layer-2 solutions or sharding often addresses methods to reduce the data transmitted between nodes. Researchers and developers continuously work on innovative techniques to minimize this overhead, thereby enhancing network performance and reducing operational costs for validators.