DeutschBackground to Bitcoin Synchronization
In order to better understand the process of Bitcoin synchronization, a certain amount of background knowledge is required. This includes, for example, knowing that every computer connected to the Bitcoin network is referred to as a so-called node. It follows that all full node clients are subject to the rules of the Bitcoin network. The basis is also a peer-to-peer network with Bitcoin, which can only function if the connected computers follow the basic rules. Only under this condition can the distinctive characteristics of the network remain, namely:
- Decentralization
- Transparency
- Immutability
The functioning of the network also includes that some computers must first download all transaction blocks of the Blockchain and then check them in the second step. Since the verification refers to all transactions made so far and in particular to the connection of the transaction blocks, it can sometimes take a considerable period of time until this verification is completely completed.
What Does Bitcoin Synchronization Involve?
The process of Bitcoin synchronization initially involves downloading all Bitcoin transactions carried out to date onto the computer. This is followed by a check of these transactions. This is not the case with all clients used, but most Bitcoin clients perform such synchronization. The entire process can take a relatively long time, mainly because the entire blockchain has to be downloaded. This is the only way for the connected computer to become part of the network and have the possibility to check the chaining of the transaction chains. Even if they are so-called full node clients, Bitcoin synchronization can take a considerable amount of time.
The amount of time that Bitcoin synchronization actually takes depends to a large extent on the performance of the computer and the connection to the network. Here, as with mining, it can be seen that particularly powerful computers can of course generate faster processes than is the case with weaker computer performance. Since the blockchain in the Bitcoin area has a total size of around 13 gigabytes, it can take between 12 and 24 hours – depending on the Internet connection and available storage space – until the entire blockchain has been downloaded and then analyzed until the Bitcoin synchronization is fully completed.
