Cloudflare Runs Ethereum Node Experiment To Help ‘Build A Better Internet’

Ahead of the much-anticipated move from Ethereum to Proof-of-Stake (PoS), cybersecurity firm Cloudflare will be rolling out and fully deploying Ethereum validation nodes over the next few months.

It aims to examine the energy efficiency, consistency management and network speed of the PoS network as part of its commitment to environmental sustainability and contribute to “building a better internet”.

Founded in 2010, Cloudflare provides web security services such as Distributed Denial-of-Service (DDoS) mitigation to protect customers from DDoS attacks.

Cloudflare said it is experimenting with the “next generation of Web3 networks that will include Proof of Stake,” with Ethereum being first in line for the company.

At this stage, it looks like the merge and transition to a PoS consensus mechanism should be operational by Q3 or early Q4 barring any further delays, with Cloudflare noting that this will result in “significant improvements in energy efficiency.” ‘ for the network.

According to a May 16 blog post, the company will launch and fully deploy Ethereum validation nodes (32 Ether required per node) over the next few months. It didn’t specify how many nodes or a specific launch date.

“Cloudflare will participate in the research and development of the core infrastructure that helps keep Ethereum safe, fast, and energy-efficient for all.”

“These nodes will serve as proving grounds for research on energy efficiency, consistency management, and network speed,” the blog post adds.

Related: Polkadot vs. Ethereum: Two Equal Chances to Dominate the Web3 World

The company said the tests relate to its commitment to the environment and are helping pave a path “to meet the clear need to drastically reduce the power consumption of Web3 technologies and the ability to scale Web3 networks by orders of magnitude.” , reconciles”.

Cloudflare noted that Ethereum’s upcoming upgrades will significantly reduce energy consumption as it moves away from the environmentally “challenging” proof-of-work model that was at the forefront of Web3’s launch, but “not doing well with the Utilization rates scaled that we’re seeing today.”

“The energy required to run a proof-of-stake validation node is orders of magnitude less than that of a proof-of-work miner. Early estimates by the Ethereum Foundation suggest that the entire Ethereum network could consume as little as 2.6 megawatts of electricity. In other words, after the merger, Ethereum will use 99.5% less energy than it does today.”

While the company didn’t outline which project it will focus on next, it teased that it will be working with partners from “cryptography, Web3 and infrastructure communities.”