Clear DefinitionsIBC Packet
1 min read
Pronunciation
[I-B-C pak-it]
Analogy
Like a sealed shipping container labeled with origin, destination, and handling instructions.
Definition
The atomic data unit sent over an IBC channel, containing payload, sequence number, source/destination port and channel identifiers, and timeout fields.
Key Points Intro
IBC packets encapsulate cross‑chain messages with proof and timeout metadata.
Key Points
Sequence: Monotonic identifier per channel.
Timeout height & timestamp: Enforces delivery deadlines.
Payload: Arbitrary bytes (e.g., token transfer data).
Proof: Merkle proof of inclusion in source chain state.
Example
A token transfer packet includes amount, denom, sender, recipient, and timeout of 100 blocks.
Technical Deep Dive
Packet struct: `{ sequence, sourcePort, sourceChannel, destPort, destChannel, data, timeoutHeight, timeoutTimestamp }`. Relayer fetches proof at `commitmentPath`, submits `RecvPacket` with proof and packet bytes.
Security Warning
Incorrect timeout parameters can cause packet loss or fund lockup.
Caveat
Large payloads incur gas costs; batch small packets when possible.
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