Network Upgrade
Blockchain protocol modification for improvement or security.
Beginner-friendly explanation
A network update is an upgrade that improves or fixes a blockchain, like a software update.
📌 Example:
Ethereum made an update called 'London' to change how transaction fees are handled.
Intermediate-level insight
Network updates can be hard forks (incompatible change, requiring consensus), or soft forks (compatible, backward change). They affect critical aspects: block validation, security, fees, governance.
📌 Example:
Bitcoin Cash was created from a Bitcoin hard fork in 2017 after disagreement over block size.
Advanced perspective
A complex network update may involve introducing new virtual machines (e.g., EVM upgrades), adapting to scalability solutions (rollups, sharding), or changing economic models (modifying mining rewards). The process often includes extensive testnet testing before mainnet deployment.
📌 Example:
Ethereum's 'The Merge' update shifted the network from Proof of Work to Proof of Stake after several testnet phases.
Blockchain & Technology
update network, fork, hard fork, soft fork, testnet, mainnet, scalability, security, governance, blockchain evolution