Transaction batch processing appears limited to ~200 transactions per message

[1033309821]

Steps to Reproduce

1. Set up a local devnet using Kurtosis ethereum-package with Besu.
2. Connect a custom peer capable of sending batched transactions.
3. Send a large number of valid transactions within a single network message:
   • Case 1: 100 transactions
   • Case 2: 1000 transactions
   • Case 3: 10000+ transactions
4. Observe the number of transactions that:
   • Enter the mempool
   • Eventually get included on-chain

Expected behavior: [What you expect to happen]
The client should process all valid transactions in the batch, or enforce a reasonable upper bound that does not significantly degrade transaction propagation. The limit (if any) should be sufficiently high and/or clearly documented.

Actual behavior: [What actually happens]
Besu appears to enforce an upper bound of approximately 200 transactions per batch:

• 100 transactions sent → all processed successfully
• 1000 transactions sent → only the first ~200 transactions are included on-chain
• 10000+ transactions sent → still only ~200 transactions are processed
  All remaining transactions in the batch are ignored and do not enter the mempool.

Frequency: [What percentage of the time does it occur?]
100% (consistently reproducible under the same conditions)

Logs

Versions (Add all that apply)

// The ethereum-package network-para.yaml
participants:

• el_type: geth V1.16.2
  cl_type: lighthouse V7.0.1
• el_type: nethermind V1.33.0
  cl_type: lighthouse V7.0.1
• el_type: reth V1.6.0
  cl_type: lighthouse V7.0.1
• el_type: besu V25.8.0
  cl_type: lighthouse V7.0.1
• el_type: erigon V3.0.15
  cl_type: lighthouse V7.0.1
  additional_services:
• dora

• Consensus Client & Version if using Proof of Stake: [e.g. Teku, Lighthouse, Prysm, Nimbus, Lodestar]

This suggests that Besu enforces a relatively strict upper bound on batch transaction processing, which may impact transaction propagation efficiency compared to other clients.

Ref: ethereum/go-ethereum#32723