A node (or node) is a key component of blockchain technology that supports the operation of cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, Litecoin, etc.
Simply put, a node is a network participant or user that stores and maintains an exact copy of the entire ledger. These nodes verify transactions and ensure the security and authenticity of the data.
Currently there are two main types of nodes:
Full is a full-fledged version that contains a complete copy of the blockchain history;
lightweight is a lightweight version of the network that depends on a full node to operate.
Full nodes are the backbone of the network because they maintain its integrity. They are responsible for executing the core consensus mechanism that ensures transactions are verified and confirmed. Full nodes require a lot of space to store all transaction history, as they must track all movements on the network to verify their authenticity.
Light nodes are less resource-intensive and are often used by ordinary users who do not need access to the entire history of the blockchain. However, light nodes depend on full nodes because they also have to verify transactions. To do this, they send requests to full nodes for verification and store only part of the necessary data.
In general, the blockchain is built in such a way that it does not depend on a central server. The network consists of thousands of nodes, each of which is responsible for maintaining and storing a copy of the registry. Nodes work together to validate and record transactions on the blockchain, and each transaction is verified by multiple participants, ensuring the history is authentic and unchangeable.
Essentially, nodes are necessary for the functioning of the entire network and their role cannot be ignored. Without nodes, blockchain would not be possible and the technology would not be as secure and transparent as it is today.
