Gossip Protocol

An information-sharing mechanism among computer nodes, similar to an epidemic.

A gossip protocol is a virtual mechanism that involves computer nodes periodically and randomly sending out information about themselves and other nodes on the network. This multicast information-sharing structure is usually recurrent until the information has been received by all the nodes on the network. Ultimately, the gossip protocol is an interesting cloud computing concept that allows speedy transmission of information or messages among computer nodes.

In the crypto space, the gossip protocol is compatible with the peer-to-peer (P2P) system and the decentralization structure. Thus, as there is no central authority to regulate the information shared across nodes, it can be used as a highly responsive method of determining active and inactive nodes.