Node
A computer that stores a copy of the blockchain and helps run the network. More nodes means more decentralization and security.
Example
Running an Ethereum node on your computer to verify transactions yourself instead of trusting someone else's data.
Core Concepts
⚖️Node Types
| Feature | full Node | light Node | archive Node |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | Entire blockchain | Block headers only | Full + historical states |
| Disk Space | ~1TB | ~1GB | ~15TB+ |
| Trust | Trustless | Trusts full nodes | Trustless |
| Use Case | Verification | Wallets/apps | Analytics |
🚀Getting Started
- 1Check hardware requirements for your chosen chain
- 2Use node clients like Geth (Ethereum), Bitcoin Core
- 3Expect initial sync to take days and significant bandwidth
- 4Consider running on a dedicated computer or cloud server
- 5Join node operator communities for support