Definition ∞ Two-phase consensus describes a method for achieving agreement among distributed nodes in a network, typically involving two distinct stages of communication and validation. This approach ensures that all participating nodes confirm a transaction or state change before it is finalized. The first phase often involves proposal and voting, while the second phase commits the agreed-upon action. It aims to guarantee data consistency and fault tolerance.
Context ∞ Two-phase consensus mechanisms are relevant in distributed computing and certain blockchain architectures, particularly those prioritizing strong consistency over pure decentralization. News might discuss their implementation in specific enterprise blockchain solutions or sharding designs for scalability. Debates often weigh the benefits of enhanced data integrity against potential performance trade-offs and complexity compared to single-phase approaches.