Solana proposal speeds block production through geographic scheduling of validators

Researchers Roger Wattenhofer and Quentin Kniep have proposed a new leader schedule for the Solana network to accelerate block production, CryptoSlate reported. The plan speeds up handovers by scheduling geographically nearby validators consecutively in the block production order. [1]

CryptoSlate reported that each scheduled turn for a validator to produce blocks is known as a leader window. The proposal seeks to make fast block handovers less dependent on validators operating near the largest stake centers of the network. [1]

According to CryptoSlate, simulations show that the proposed geographic plan successfully cuts the average handover delay between honest validators. However, the proposal relies on self-reported validator locations, introducing physical data into the leader schedule that the network cannot independently verify. [1]

CryptoSlate reported that while the modeled handovers are faster, the geographic scheduling approach lengthens periods of consecutive control by regional validators, introducing potential regional risks to the consensus process. [1]