Blockchain Scaling: What Does ‘Vertical’ And ‘Horizontal’ Mean?

In today’s blockchain news, we are focusing on the topic of blockchain scaling – and explaining what is vertical and horizontal scaling. We will cover a lot of the questions concerned with this topic and help you understand it thoroughly.

What is vertical and horizontal blockchain scaling?

In the blockchain scaling world, vertical blockchain scaling refers to the expansion of a network by adding more power and memory to a system and its core processing unit. On the other hand, horizontal scaling involves the addition of more nodes (ex. machines) to the framework of an existing system.

When dealing with the topic of scalability, it is important to note that the concept is invoke when someone is looking to increase the transaction capacity of a specific platform.

Does scaling work well with blockchains?

The best way blockchain scaling works is with traditional databases. From a security standpoint, however, scalable blockchains are way more useful and pragmatic. Still, there is a trade-off involved.

Since blockchain systems are already distributed networks, it is difficult to increase a network and its overall throughput by simply adding more hardware entities such as miners, nodes or validators.

How is scaling done?

Vertical scaling happens when the efficiency of each individual transaction is improved. Horizontal scaling, on the other hand, is achieved through increasing the platform and its overall throughput capacity.

General blockchain scaling improvements are made through the use of a concept known as “layering” where each individual component of a particular system is made to interact with the digital counterparts in some way of sequential and hierarchical way.

When should one use horizontal or vertical scaling?

Pure vertical scaling is limited when it comes to its effectiveness – but it is relatively easier to achieve. Horizontal blockchain scaling is typically used to improve the overall throughput of a system that takes longer to develop.

So, for example, if there is an issue with the virtual machine and its local memory not being sufficient to process all of the incoming transaction, a vertical scale might help and fix the problem. On the other hand, if an incoming transaction load cannot be handled by a platform and its existing hardware, employing a horizontal scale will help one rectify the issue.