The Gossip Protocol defines the type of peer-to-peer communication offered by computers and digital devices. It is the communication protocol used by computers in a peer-to-peer network. The Gossip Protocol, named after social groups' "gossip," allows nodes to distribute information to all nodes on the network.
To ensure data transmission in large blockchain networks, a large amount of processing power is used. The Gossip Protocol is similar to two individuals "gossiping" with each other in that it disseminates information from one node to another. The Gossip Protocol provides communication in a distributed network. Communication occurs when information is transmitted among other nodes. The Gossip Protocol involves disseminating information between multiple computers.
Different Gossip Protocols exist, and one of them is Hashgraph. Hashgraph is a distributed ledger technology. It simplifies the Gossip Protocol and was proposed by Leemon Baird. Hashgraph works with Byzantine Fault Tolerance (BFT). In the computer field, the Gossip Protocol encompasses communication that occurs when data is disseminated to nodes in a distributed network. When data is transferred from one computer to another, it continues until it is spread throughout the entire network.
According to Professor Márk Jelasity of the University of Szeged, there are two main types of Gossip Protocol: information dissemination and information gathering. Information dissemination involves distributing information from one point to many points. The information-gathering protocol is the protocol that processes and distributes data.
How Does the Gossip Protocol Work?
The Gossip Protocol is a protocol used to synchronize data between nodes in a distributed system. The protocol operates by sending data to randomly selected nodes or by requesting data from some nodes. A node transmits data to nodes that are chosen at random. Other nodes, in turn, transmit the received data to various randomly selected nodes. This working principle ensures that data is synchronized across all nodes. This information dissemination process will continue for some time and is expected to reach all nodes. During this time, all nodes compare the received data to their own data and correct any inequality.
What Are the Types of Gossip Protocols?
There are two main types of gossip protocol, which are as follows:
- Epidemic Gossip Protocol
- Push-Sum Gossip Protocol
Epidemic Gossip Protocol
The Epidemic Gossip protocol allows all nodes in the network to access data by randomly transmitting information from one node to another. The Epidemic Gossip protocol is generally used in large-scale distributed systems.
Push-Sum Gossip Protocol
The Push-Sum Gossip protocol is used to calculate the total or average values of the numerical values of nodes in the network. Nodes transmit their numerical values to another randomly selected node, and this process is performed for all nodes in the network.
In addition to the main types of gossip protocols, there are also different types of gossip protocols, which are as follows:
- Dissemination Protocols
- Anti-Entropy Protocols
- Aggregation Protocols
Dissemination Protocols
Dissemination or information dissemination protocols are protocols that provide synchronization between nodes and distribute information to multiple points. Network nodes are constantly in communication, and data or information is spread securely throughout the network.
Anti-Entropy Protocols
Anti-entropy protocols are used to compare and modify repeated information. This protocol includes a node requesting data from other nodes or nodes periodically transmitting data to other nodes, ensuring information consistency between nodes.
Collecting Protocols
Collecting protocols are used to process data received from nodes on a network. These protocols involve nodes performing an operation and transmitting it to other nodes. The data dissemination process records all processed data.
Gossip Protocol in Cryptocurrencies
In the Bitcoin blockchain, when a miner solves a block, they broadcast the solution to the network using the gossip protocol. These protocols are generally used by network nodes to quickly and reliably broadcast in blockchains.
