Definition ∞ An SMR protocol, or State Machine Replication protocol, is a distributed computing method that ensures all non-faulty replicas of a service process a sequence of client requests in the same order, thereby maintaining a consistent state across all replicas. In blockchain, these protocols are foundational for achieving consensus and data integrity across a distributed ledger. They guarantee that all participants agree on the order and outcome of operations. This is vital for the reliable operation of decentralized systems.
Context ∞ SMR protocols are at the core of many permissioned and permissionless blockchain networks, determining their fault tolerance and finality properties. News often discusses advancements in SMR protocols aimed at improving scalability, latency, or energy efficiency. The ongoing evolution of these protocols is critical for the performance and security of future digital asset infrastructure.