Discussion on RPC Protocols and Current Challenges by Lava Network Founder
In an exclusive interview with crypto.news, Yair Cleper, the CEO and founder of Lava network, delved into the intricacies of Remote Procedure Call (RPC) protocols and their significance in the advancement of blockchain technology.
RPCs serve as protocols that enable applications to communicate with a blockchain, making them crucial for the development of decentralized applications (dApps). The recent challenges surrounding RPC reliability have been a major topic of discussion within the cryptocurrency industry.
The disruptions to RPCs have recently impacted the functionality of prominent networks like Solana and Manta, leading to widespread calls for improved RPC infrastructure across the industry.
Cleper’s Lava network has developed a platform that connects dApps to the best RPC providers in an effort to address the challenges faced by blockchain networks. This unique positioning allows him to provide valuable insights on the subject.
What are the main factors contributing to the unreliability of RPCs in different blockchain ecosystems?
The reasons for RPC unreliability vary depending on the specific ecosystem. In the case of Ethereum, the issue stems from centralization, where a few major providers support the majority of the traffic. If these providers become unavailable, dApp users are unable to connect with Ethereum. However, in most other chains, especially newly launched ones, the unreliability is due to the fact that RPC support primarily comes from community members who voluntarily set up nodes.
Is there a way to address these issues?
Implementing some basic measures can enhance reliability. For instance, making it easy and clear for users to switch to another provider if one becomes unavailable. Another option is to encourage a diverse range of providers, preventing the ecosystem from becoming overly dependent on a small number of providers.
From your perspective, what are the broader consequences of RPC downtime for dApp developers and their users across the blockchain ecosystem?
If RPC experiences downtime, it has the same impact as the blockchain itself going down for users. We have already witnessed instances where past outages or congestion issues have resulted in users being unable to connect to chains. This was particularly evident during the DeFi and NFT boom on Ethereum, where a single large NFT minting event was enough to overwhelm multiple RPC providers.
Can developers mitigate these risks?
Developers can mitigate these risks by utilizing a decentralized and highly redundant service like Lava. Lava aggregates multiple RPC providers into one network and includes automatic fallbacks in case of provider downtime. Some developers are already using solutions like load balancers, which can also be helpful.
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Recent high-profile RPC outages have exposed vulnerabilities in the current dApp infrastructure. How does Lava plan to address these risks and ensure reliability and continuity for users and developers?
Lava is constructing a network that allows chains and rollups to easily establish their RPC and API infrastructure through an approach known as Incentivized Public RPC. Lava is being developed with several considerations in mind. The network must be agnostic to support any chain and API. It must be permissionless and capable of quickly supporting any in-demand chain and API. It should offer low latency and geolocation-based routing, ensuring that requests are directed to servers closest to the user. It must be highly reliable and available. Lastly, it should be decentralized, with no single point of control that can restrict access to the blockchain. This aligns with the principles of web3.
Are any chains already implementing this?
Lava is already actively collaborating with various chains, including NEAR, Evmos, and Axelar, to help establish, optimize, and decentralize their infrastructure.
How do you envision the evolution of decentralized data access layers in terms of technology and adoption?
Lava was designed to be highly adaptable as a data access layer, and RPC is just the beginning of the network’s potential use cases. As blockchain adoption increases, Lava will support more complex and specialized APIs that can retrieve indexed data specific to a dApp or set of smart contracts. Currently, data access layers are primarily designed to onboard more dApps onto chains. However, in the future, dApps will evolve into app-specific rollups and become blockchains themselves. This means that Lava’s ability to support new chains in a permissionless and dynamic manner, faster than centralized providers, will become increasingly important.
So, will RPC providers play a crucial role in the evolution of blockchain technology?
Whether you’re a dApp developer or a rollup developer, RPC is the fundamental infrastructure that you need, and only Lava offers solutions for both.
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