From ec4624ed7ef4f466d18c5171d3c4055222f48358 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: adiraviraj Date: Fri, 26 Jan 2024 13:02:15 +0100 Subject: [PATCH] Update Cosmos Hub and IBC info --- docs/learn/learn-comparisons-cosmos.md | 22 ++++++++-------------- 1 file changed, 8 insertions(+), 14 deletions(-) diff --git a/docs/learn/learn-comparisons-cosmos.md b/docs/learn/learn-comparisons-cosmos.md index a83a77fa971a..784264f59980 100644 --- a/docs/learn/learn-comparisons-cosmos.md +++ b/docs/learn/learn-comparisons-cosmos.md @@ -25,12 +25,9 @@ when they are finalized by Polkadot's Relay Chain, the main chain of the system. parachains share state with the entire system, meaning that a chain re-organization of a single parachain would require a re-organization of all parachains and the Relay Chain. -Cosmos uses a bridge-hub model that connects Tendermint chains. The system can have multiple hubs -(the primary being the "Cosmos Hub"), but each hub connects a group of exterior chains, called -"zones". Each zone is responsible for securing the chain with a sufficiently staked and -decentralized validator set. Zones send messages and tokens to each other via the hub using a -protocol called Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC). As zones do not share state, a re-organization -of one zone would not re-organize other zones, meaning each message is trust-bound by the +Cosmos employs horizontal scalability using [app-chains](https://www.alchemy.com/overviews/what-is-an-appchain). The Cosmos Network consists of 100+ IBC connected chains, including the Cosmos Hub, Osmosis, Celestia, dYdX v4 chain, Injective, etc. Each chain is responsible for securing the chain with a sufficiently staked and +decentralized validator set. But chains also have the option to leverage shared security from the Cosmos Hub. Cosmos chains send cross-chain messages using the Inter-Blockchain Communication protocol. As chains do not share state, a re-organization +of one chain would not re-organize other chains, meaning each message is trust-bound by the recipient's trust in the security of the sender. ## Architecture @@ -78,7 +75,7 @@ Second, having the capacity to extend the chain with unfinalized blocks allows o perform extensive availability and validity checks to ensure that no invalid state transitions make their way into the final chain. -Cosmos (both the Hub and the zones) uses Tendermint consensus, a round-robin protocol that provides +Cosmos chains uses Tendermint consensus, a round-robin protocol that provides instant finality. Block production and finalization are on the same path of the algorithm, meaning it produces and finalizes one block at a time. Because it is a PBFT-based algorithm (like GRANDPA), it has quadratic transport complexity, but can only finalize one block at a time. @@ -127,9 +124,7 @@ Polkadot has an additional protocol called [SPREE](learn-spree.md) that provides cross-chain messages. Messages sent with SPREE carry additional guarantees about provenance and interpretation by the receiving chain. -Cosmos uses a cross-chain protocol called Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC). The current -implementation of Cosmos uses the Hub to pass tokens between zones. However, Cosmos does have a new -specification for passing arbitrary data. Nonetheless, as chains do not share state, receiving +Cosmos uses a light client-based cross-chain protocol called [Inter-Blockchain Communication (IBC)](https://www.ibcprotocol.dev/) for arbitrary message-passing. In the current design, IBC chains create 1:1 [Connections](https://ibc.cosmos.network/main/ibc/overview#connections) with each other, over which [Channels](https://ibc.cosmos.network/main/ibc/overview#channels) can be established. IBC data packets are sent between application modules on different chains over these channels. In the case of IBC, as chains do not share state, receiving chains must trust the security of a message's origin. ## Governance @@ -193,8 +188,7 @@ security must be cooperative, not competitive. Therefore, Polkadot provides the logic and security processes across chains so that they can interact knowing that their interlocutors execute within the same security context. -The Cosmos network uses a bridge-hub model to connect chains with independent security guarantees, -meaning that when data is sent from one chain to another (inter-chain communication), the receiving +The Cosmos network uses an Internet-like unstructured network that uses IBC to connect chains with independent security guarantees, +meaning that when data is sent from one chain to another, the receiving chain must trust the sending chain. Thus, each blockchain in the Cosmos network has its independent -security mechanisms. They're independently secured and do not rely on the security of other -blockchains or the hub. +security mechanisms. Chains also have the option to share security with the Cosmos Hub and thereby leverage its economic security.