Remote Procedure Call, also known simply as RPC, plays a crucial role in the functioning of many cryptocurrencies, including Ethereum. It refers to a communication protocol that allows a programme (like a wallet or node) to efficiently request services from another programme or server over a network, typically the internet.
In a cryptocurrency network, nodes communicate with each other using RPC, and a node can act as either a client or a server, depending on whether it’s requesting information or providing information. For example, a wallet client might send an RPC request to a blockchain node to get the balance of a particular address. The server node processes the RPC request and then sends back a response to the client node. This response typically includes the requested data or confirms that the requested action has been completed.
RPC calls in cryptocurrency networks can vary widely depending on the functionality of the nodes involved. They can include requests for blockchain data, wallet operations (like sending or receiving funds), node synchronisation, and more. It must be implemented securely to prevent unauthorised access and protect sensitive information. This includes using authentication mechanisms, encryption, and other security practices.
