Key Points
Google Cloud has unveiled a new service that is compatible with Ethereum. This service, known as a Remote Procedure Call (RPC), is designed to simplify the development of blockchain technology.
Enhancing Blockchain Interaction
The service was announced on September 17th. It allows decentralized applications (dApps) to communicate with blockchain networks. Initially, it will support the Ethereum mainnet and testnets. This offers a more cost-effective solution to managing node infrastructure.
An RPC is a software protocol. It allows one program to ask another program on a different network for a service. In the world of blockchain, RPCs are vital for dApps to interact with blockchain data. They handle tasks such as transaction validation, data retrieval, and node communication.
However, RPC reliability has often been a problem in the blockchain sector. Delays or errors in RPCs can disrupt the functioning of dApps, which frequently need to process transactions and data requests instantly.
Issues can arise due to high network traffic or sudden increases in transaction volumes. This has been observed with Ethereum’s layer-2 solution ZkSync and blockchains like Solana and Manta, which have faced issues during periods of high demand.
The Blockchain RPC service from Google Cloud aims to address these challenges. It does this by using its infrastructure to improve reliability.
This service is fully compatible with the JSON-RPC standard. This makes it easy for Ethereum developers to integrate it with their dApps with minimal coding. They just need to modify their RPC endpoints.
Additionally, it offers a free tier. This allows up to 100 requests per second and 1 million requests per day. It supports real-time and data-heavy applications, catering to both startups looking to enter the blockchain technology field and large enterprises requiring reliable infrastructure.
Kyle Quintal, the Head of Engineering at web3 analytics firm 0xArc, has praised Google Cloud’s RPC service. He noted that it provides “fast response times” and aligns with the Ethereum Improvement Proposal 1474 standards. This encouraged them to integrate it into their system.
EIP-1474 defines a standardized set of RPC methods for Ethereum nodes.
The Blockchain RPC service is currently available worldwide in preview. Google Cloud plans to expand support to more blockchains over the next year.
This new initiative is part of Google Cloud’s broader push into the blockchain sector. Over the years, the cloud computing giant has worked with several blockchain projects and platforms, including EigenLayer, Aptos, Flare, and Polygon among others.
