What is RPC Edge and how do I use it?

Ever had to deal with high latency, unreliable connections, and the complexities of integrating with multiple blockchain networks? These issues can hinder the performance and scalability of decentralized applications (dApps), and as such, it’s crucial to find robust solutions: the future of your app depends on it!

Enter thirdweb's RPC Edge—a service designed to address these challenges by providing reliable, low-latency access to blockchain networks. By leveraging RPC Edge, developers can enhance the performance and reliability of their dApps, ensuring a smoother user experience.

Before we get started….what is an RPC?

A Remote Procedure Call (RPC) is a protocol that allows a program to request a service from a program located on another computer in a network. In the context of blockchain, an RPC URL serves as an endpoint enabling applications to communicate with a blockchain network. This communication is essential for sending transactions and reading data from the blockchain, facilitating the interaction between decentralized applications and the blockchain itself.

Why are RPCs Important for Creating Blockchain Apps?

RPCs are the backbone of blockchain applications, enabling them to:

1. Initiate Transactions via blockchain apps and experiences.

2. Retrieve Data such as account balances, transaction histories, and smart contract states.

3. Interact with Smart Contracts with complex functionalities.

Without efficient RPCs, blockchain apps would struggle with delayed responses, increased latency, and potential security vulnerabilities, leading to a subpar user experience.

What is RPC Edge and what makes it so powerful?

RPC Edge is thirdweb's enterprise-grade RPC service designed to provide reliable access to blockchain networks through global edge infrastructure. It offers reduced latency by utilizing geographically distributed servers, smart routing, and caching of RPC responses. This setup ensures that applications experience minimized latency, especially for frequently requested data.

RPC Edge stands out for its robust and reliable features, such as:

Reduced Latency

By leveraging over 150 worldwide edge locations, RPC Edge minimizes latency, ensuring faster response times for applications. This global distribution allows for efficient handling of user requests, enhancing the overall performance of dApps.

Improved Performance

RPC Edge maintains high uptime and low latency, enabling developers to build scalable applications without worrying about infrastructure limitations. The service's architecture ensures that applications can handle increased traffic without compromising performance.

High Reliability

Utilizing fallback mechanisms across multiple nodes, RPC Edge ensures consistent and reliable access to blockchain networks. This redundancy guarantees that applications remain connected even if one provider faces issues.

Cost Efficiency

Compared to competitors, RPC Edge offers a more cost-effective solution at scale, making it an attractive choice for developers looking to optimize their resources without sacrificing quality.

Compatibility with Any EVM Blockchain

RPC Edge is compatible with any Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) blockchain, providing flexibility for developers working across various blockchain networks. This broad compatibility ensures that developers can integrate RPC Edge into their projects regardless of the specific EVM chain they are targeting.

Predictable URLs

To access the RPC for any EVM chain, use this URL format: https://<chain_id>.rpc.thirdweb.com. These predictable URLs provide an intuitive developer experience for accessing any EVM chain in your code.

How Do I Implement RPC Edge?

Implementing RPC Edge in your application involves a few straightforward steps:

1. Obtain API Credentials:

   • Navigate to the thirdweb dashboard.

   • Go to Settings > API Keys.

   • Click on Create API Key to generate your Client ID and Secret Key.

2. Configure Your Application:

   • In your application's configuration, integrate the obtained Client ID and Secret Key.

   • For example, in a NodeJs Backend:

     javascript
     async function fetchLatestBlockNumber() {
       try {
         const response = await fetch('https://<chain_id>.rpc.thirdweb.com/<client_id>', {
           method: 'POST',
           body: JSON.stringify({
             jsonrpc: "2.0",
             method: "eth_blockNumber",
             params: [],
             id: 1
           })
         });
     
         const data = await response.text();
         console.log(data);
       } catch (error) {
         console.error(error);
       }
     }

By following these steps, you can seamlessly integrate RPC Edge into your application, enhancing its performance and reliability.

Get started with RPC Edge here →

thirdweb Infra

thirdweb offers a comprehensive suite of infrastructure products tailored for web3 developers far beyond RPC Edge, including Insight, a reliable and performant indexer, and a Storage solutions for seamless management of application data.

By leveraging these tools, developers can build scalable, production-grade applications with ease.

Embrace the power of thirdweb's infrastructure to elevate your web3 development experience!

Learn more about thirdweb Infra →