Sharding is a process of splitting blockchain states into partitions. The partition happens horizontally in a database or search engine. The term sharding refers to splitting data into smaller pieces. These data chunks can then be stored on different machines and are horizontally scalable.</p>\n<p>There are <strong>three types</strong> of sharding: state, transactions, and network. The Elrond network <strong>combines all three types</strong> of blockchain sharding. The Elrond-specific sharding process is known as adaptive state sharding.</p>\n<p>Adaptive state sharding combines elements of all three sharding methods to create the optimal process for the Elrond network. The final result allows for parallel processing, which improves the inner communication of the shards, and can enhance the overall performance.</p>\n<p><a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-blockchain/">Blockchain technology</strong></a> encounters scalability issues for some applications, such as banking, supply chain management (SCM), and Big Data. With the help of adaptive state sharding, blockchains can improve the throughput and scalability performance.</p>\n<p>Although sharding is not a new process, previous iterations have not provided the scalability required for blockchain adoption. The development of blockchain technology and <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-smart-contract/">smart contracts</strong></strong></a> allows processing transactions, <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-block/">blocks, and other data into <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-shard/">shards so that they can be easily processed by <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-node/">nodes even without sufficient resources.</p>\n<p>Adaptive sharding used by Elrond is a <strong>horizontal scaling database partitioning technique</strong>. It allows data to be automatically transferred across servers as the system load increases and decreases.</p>\n<p>When it comes to networks, sharding helps distribute nodes into segments. This occurs at the transaction level, while the whole blockchain is retained by the sum of the nodes. Sharding at the state level allows for the processing and verification of multiple transactions simultaneously.</p>\n<p>With dynamic adaptive state sharding, a fluctuating number of nodes can be adapted. This process occurs without compromising the network&rsquo;s decentralization and security.</p>\n<p>The adaptive state sharding model that Elrond uses provides a new approach to the process. It has demonstrated heightened security and throughput, and delays have been reduced compared to older sharding methods.</p>","level":"medium","meta_title":"What is Adaptive State Sharding? Definition & Meaning | Crypto Wiki","meta_description":"Adaptive State Sharding meaning: Adaptive State Sharding - a sharding method used by Elrond that combines aspects of state, transactions, and network sharding.","meta_keywords":null,"language":"en","created_at":"2022-02-10T13:29:51.000000Z","updated_at":"2022-05-13T14:32:22.000000Z","preview_url":"https://www.bitdegree.org/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-adaptive-state-sharding"},"prevSection":{"id":12,"original_id":null,"author_id":40,"translator_id":null,"title":"What is Address?","slug":"what-is-address","section":"A","keyword":"Address","status":"published","definition":"a sequence of several alphanumeric characters that signify a wallet.","content":"<p><strong>To put it simply, a crypto address is equivalent to an email address, website address, or even a real-life address.</strong> In technical terms, it&rsquo;s a sequence of several alphanumeric characters that signify a <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-wallet/">wallet (you can send and receive cryptocurrency from your wallet).</p>\n<p>It's received from <a href=https://www.bitdegree.org/"/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-private-key-secret-key/">private keys</strong></a> and usually has a sequence that is difficult to read. Besides, every single sequence is different.</p>\n<p>The addresses can be seen by the public, but they are <strong>anonymous</strong> in a way that there isn&rsquo;t a real name associated with them. Nevertheless, a few identities of owners and founders of the different token and exchange projects are known.</p>","level":"easy","meta_title":"What is Address? Definition & Meaning | Crypto Wiki","meta_description":"Address meaning: Address - is a sequence of several alphanumeric characters that signify a wallet.","meta_keywords":null,"language":"en","created_at":"2022-02-10T13:11:37.000000Z","updated_at":"2023-03-28T10:59:26.000000Z","preview_url":"https://www.bitdegree.org/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-address"},"currentChapter":"A","currentSection":"what-is-air-gap","chapterTitle":"A","readingLevel":"easy"},"url":"/crypto/learn/crypto-terms/what-is-air-gap","version":"cdd198d50cbe5c9c21c9329d7c096ffc"}" class="container-fluid d-flex crypto-book p-0">
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Crypto Terms: Letter A

What is Air Gap?

Air Gap MEANING:
Air Gap - is a replica copy of production information on a secondary storage system that is not connected to any production or public networks.
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Let's find out Air Gap meaning, definition in crypto, what is Air Gap, and all other detailed facts.

An air gap, in the world of IT, is a replica copy of production information on a secondary storage system (offline), that is not connected to any production or public networks. As long as the gap is maintained, this additional information duplication is safe against attacks and alteration.

There are a few types of air gaps - a backup-based air gap, an object-based air gap, and an array-based air gap.

The assumption that if data cannot be accessed, it cannot be contaminated or damaged is the main concept. Besides, if a large attack occurred, an air gap ensures rapid recovery.

Furthermore, an air-gapped computer is one that does not have any network interfaces, wired or wireless, that connect to outside networks.

It is common that air gap data is relied on as a copy of the final option for companies. The air gap is often used to supplement recovery, existing backup, and disaster recovery procedures in order to provide additional security.

Traders frequently encourage clients to buy two sets of hardware - one for production and one for an air gap. This might result in a greater cost, and higher costs have restricted the use of standard hardware air gap methods.
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