What are the different between DOS Chain and other Layer 2 & Sidechains?

There are many ways in which blockchains choose to scale their networks. Each with its own unique take on how to solve the trilemma. Here we are discussing the differences between DOS and other blockchain L2 and sidechains.

DOS is completely sovereign and don't share their state with the Avalanche Primary Network so transactions are final and immutable in less than 2 seconds with the Avalanche Consensus.

Sidechains need to continuously send a checkpoint/save state to the 'parent' chain (Polygon to Ethereum, for example). Transactions on sidechains are not final until the checkpoint is accepted and finalized on the parent chain. So it must be recorded on the sidechain, then sent to the ‘parent’ chain which must then also record it. This leaves a point of failure where a chain may experience a reorg, as a failsafe.

DOS transactions do not affect the speed of the Primary Network, and the Primary Networks transactions do not affect the speed of the DOS transactions. Both are allowed to operate at maximum speed without affecting one another.

L2 & Sidechains transactions are not affected by the ‘parent’ chain and likewise the other way around. This allows both to work at their optimal speeds. However, gas price fluctuations on the ‘parent’ chain can affect the speed of checkpointing, and congestion can prevent them altogether.

DOS validators are REQUIRED to validate the Primary Network, thereby creating a common coordination environment. This can be used for registering metadata, check-pointing proofs, atomic transfers, and other similar uses.

Not all L2 & sidechains use the same nodes as their parent chain but can, depending on the sidechain.

DOS provides maximum flexibility. Were are free to create our own economics (such as DOS tokens for gas), security, and also your choice of VM (virtual machine). So DOS is not handcuffed to use the Primary Network’s tokenomics and technical structure. This allows us to customize all aspects of the environment to support specific blockchain projects like provide gasless transaction for example.

L2 & Sidechains, however, require users to use their token for gas, and their VM, and abide by their security structure.

DOS has the added benefit of being risk isolated from the Primary Network since DOS doesn't share its state with the Primary Network. It doesn’t share risk with other L1s either.

With DOS, if the Primary network were to be maliciously attacked and successful in the attack, it will not affect DOS. Avalanche security is parameterizable.

L2 & Sidechains that are compromised will not affect their ‘parent’ chain. However, if the ‘parent’ chain is affected, the sidechain will be impacted as well.