Reliable Broadcast

Definition ∞ Reliable broadcast is a fundamental property in distributed systems ensuring that if a correct process sends a message, all other correct processes eventually receive it. This mechanism guarantees message delivery to all operational nodes, even in the presence of some faulty processes. It ensures that once a message is delivered to one correct process, it will eventually be delivered to all other correct processes. Such protocols are vital for maintaining data consistency and availability across a network.
Context ∞ In blockchain and decentralized networks, reliable broadcast forms a foundational layer for many higher-level consensus protocols. Debates often involve balancing the guarantees of reliable message delivery with the need for efficiency and resilience against malicious actors. Current research explores methods to achieve reliable broadcast in asynchronous networks with strong fault tolerance, which directly impacts the liveness and safety properties of decentralized applications. News frequently covers new protocol designs that seek to optimize these core communication primitives.