Physical Infrastructure Network

Definition ∞ A Physical Infrastructure Network comprises the tangible hardware components and communication channels that provide the foundational support for digital operations and data transmission. This includes data centers, servers, networking equipment, and various cabling systems, forming the essential physical layer upon which all digital services are constructed. Its reliability and capacity are critical for overall system performance.
Context ∞ While blockchain itself operates as a software layer, the underlying Physical Infrastructure Network is indispensable for its functioning, hosting nodes and facilitating data propagation. Discussions in crypto news may relate to the decentralization of this physical infrastructure, the energy consumption associated with mining operations, or the development of specialized hardware for blockchain validation.