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Additional Info

Network Epoch Architecture

Zilliqa Epoch Architecture

At the start of each DS Epoch, all mining candidates will run the Proof-of-Work (Ethash algorithm) cycle for a 60 seconds window to compete to join the Zilliqa network.

  • Nodes that fulfilled the DS_POW_DIFFICULTY parameter will qualify to join as DS nodes.
  • Nodes that fulfilled the POW_DIFFICULTY parameter will qualify to join as shard nodes.

There are a total of 100 TX epochs (each 1-2 min) within each DS Epoch (2-3 hrs). Every 100th TX epoch is known as the Vacuous epoch.

The vacuous epoch is solely for:

  • Distributing the coinbase rewards to all nodes.
  • Processing of the upgrade mechanism (as there are no forks in pBFT).
  • Writing of persistent state storage (updating of the nodes’ levelDB).

During a vacuous epoch, the network does not process any transactions.

Proof-of-Work Algorithm

Zilliqa uses Ethash for its PoW algorithm. Hence, Zilliqa uses a DAG in its proof-of-work algorithm, which is generated at an incremental rate for each DS epoch. The bootstrap DAG size will be roughly 1.02GB.

Refer to the Core Protocol Documentation for more details on the Zilliqa PoW algorithm.

Network Difficulty

Refer to the Core Protocol Documentation for more details on the difficulty adjustment algorithm.

Network Reward Mechanism

Refer to Zilliqa Architecture - Reward mechanism.