What Is a Node

What Is a Node?

A node refers to any computer running a blockchain client and connected to the network. Its responsibilities include storing data, validating transactions and blocks, relaying messages, and in some cases, producing blocks or providing external APIs.

You can think of a node as a "records library" within a city. Each library keeps a copy of the ledger and communicates with others. New transactions arrive like incoming documents; librarians check signatures and compliance with the rules before archiving and notifying other libraries.

How Do Blockchain Nodes Work?

Blockchain nodes operate collaboratively via a peer-to-peer (P2P) network. Each node receives messages from neighboring nodes, verifies their signatures and formats, archives compliant ones, and forwards them further.

The P2P network functions like a decentralized group chat—computers exchange messages directly without relying on a central server. Nodes "propagate" new transactions and blocks to adjacent nodes, gradually spreading information across the network.

Consensus is the method by which nodes reach agreement. In Proof of Stake networks, validators who have staked tokens propose blocks according to protocol rules. Other nodes validate and approve these blocks before they're added to the chain.

What Is the Difference Between Full Nodes and Light Nodes?

The key distinction lies in data storage and validation: full nodes keep the entire history and validate independently, while light nodes only store summary information and request details from others.

A full node maintains all ledger entries from genesis and verifies each record, offering greater security and autonomy but requiring more storage and bandwidth. Light nodes only keep block headers—essentially the "table of contents" of each ledger—and use these headers to check data before querying trusted services for details. This is common for mobile wallets.

What Are Consensus Nodes vs. Regular Nodes?

Consensus nodes are responsible for proposing and voting on new blocks, while regular nodes independently verify blocks and track the latest chain. Both types work together to secure the network.

"Validators" are consensus-participating nodes that stake tokens as collateral. They take turns proposing blocks, with other validators voting to confirm them. Regular nodes do not produce blocks but verify each block for compliance and reject invalid data, acting as a check on consensus nodes.

What Do Nodes Do in Transaction Propagation and Storage?

Nodes place valid transactions into a queue for block inclusion, select transactions by protocol rules during block production, and store results in local databases.

This queue is commonly called the mempool, which you can think of as a "processing basket." Signed transactions enter this basket and are prioritized based on fees and other criteria. For storage, some nodes "prune," retaining only essential data to save disk space, while "archive nodes" preserve all historical states for use by block explorers or data analytics tools.

How Can Beginners Connect to Nodes?

The simplest method is to let your wallet or application connect to nodes for you—just choose a network and sign transactions.

Step 1: Select the desired network in your wallet, such as Ethereum Mainnet or a testnet. The network determines which type of node you connect to.

Step 2: Check or set the RPC address. RPC acts as an interface akin to "calling customer service for remote operations"; your wallet uses it to send requests to nodes. In Gate Web3 Wallet, you can view and switch RPC nodes in the network settings, including custom backup addresses.

Step 3: Connect your application and grant authorization. Authorizing only allows address reading or requests; never share your mnemonic phrase or private key.

Step 4: Submit transactions and wait for confirmation. The wallet displays the transaction hash and confirmation status as nodes return results.

What Is Required to Run Your Own Node?

You need reliable hardware, always-on internet, a suitable client and sync strategy, plus basic operational skills.

Step 1: Identify your target chain and purpose. For development or data queries, standard full or archive nodes are best; for consensus participation, you also need consensus modules and key management.

Step 2: Prepare hardware and system. Opt for SSDs (solid-state drives), allocate extra RAM and bandwidth, and use operating systems with long-term support.

Step 3: Choose and install a client. For Ethereum, this means combining an execution layer client with a consensus layer client, then configuring sync modes (like snapshot sync).

Step 4: Perform initial sync. Ensure stable power and network, open necessary ports for P2P connections, and monitor sync progress.

Step 5: Set up monitoring and alerts. Track disk usage, memory, CPU load, and peer connection counts; configure auto-restart and log rotation.

Step 6 (Optional): Provide RPC externally. Place behind internal networks or reverse proxies, set rate limits and access controls to prevent abuse.

What Are the Risks and Costs of Running a Node?

Operating a node involves hardware, electricity, bandwidth, and maintenance time costs; validators face additional financial penalties risks.

As of late 2025, major blockchains continue to grow in on-chain data volume, increasing long-term storage and bandwidth requirements. Pruning or snapshot sync helps alleviate this but archive needs still require large SSDs.

If staking as a validator, you must manage keys and maintain high availability. Downtime, double-signing, or misconfiguration can trigger penalties (commonly called "slashing"), resulting in token loss. Use cold backups, hardware wallets, independent monitoring, and deploy failover solutions when needed.

Externally available RPC nodes face abuse or DDoS threats. Use access controls, rate limiting, and isolation to protect core services.

How Are Nodes Related to RPC Services?

RPC is the interface for interacting with nodes. You can expose RPC on your own node or use third-party RPC providers.

Self-hosted RPC offers control, privacy, and no external throttling but comes with higher maintenance and cost. Hosted RPC services are easy to use, support multiple chains, but may impose rate limits, regional latency, or occasional instability. To maximize reliability, configure primary and backup RPC endpoints in your wallet or app with automatic failover.

For most users, wallets use RPC to access on-chain data; developers can connect backend services to their own node or trusted providers and relay results to frontend users.

Quick Recap of Node Essentials

Nodes are the "record libraries" and "relay stations" of blockchains—responsible for storing data, verifying transactions, and propagating messages. Consensus nodes produce blocks; regular nodes independently validate to preserve decentralization. Full nodes offer greater independence; light nodes provide efficiency; RPC allows easy interaction between applications and nodes. Beginners should prioritize wallet-integrated nodes or trusted RPCs; developers may consider running their own with proper monitoring and security; if staking, safeguard your keys and maintain uptime to minimize financial risks.

FAQ

What Hardware Configuration Is Needed to Run a Node?

The hardware requirements depend on node type. Full nodes need higher specs—usually at least 8GB RAM, 500GB-2TB SSD storage, plus stable network connectivity; light nodes require less—most standard computers suffice. Dedicated devices or cloud servers are recommended for continuous stable operation.

Can Individuals Earn Money by Running Nodes?

Running a node typically does not generate direct income unless you participate as a validator or join staking programs. However, you may earn data query service fees or ecosystem incentives indirectly. The main value lies in enhancing network security, gaining data sovereignty, and reducing reliance on third-party RPC providers.

What Happens If My Node Goes Offline?

If your node disconnects, it cannot sync the latest block and transaction data temporarily. For regular nodes, reconnection triggers automatic resynchronization without major consequences; for validator nodes, downtime may result in lost consensus rewards or penalties. It's advisable to implement monitoring alerts and auto-restart mechanisms for high availability.

How Can I Tell If My Connected Node Is Reliable?

Assess reliability by checking several metrics: sync status (is it aligned with the latest block?), response speed (API latency), uptime (operational hours), and historical failure records. Use node explorers for statistics or send identical requests to multiple nodes to verify data consistency. Opting for public nodes from professional platforms like Gate generally offers stronger assurance.

What Is the Difference Between Public Nodes and Private Nodes?

Public nodes are open-access endpoints maintained by foundations or platforms—free but potentially subject to request limits; private nodes are self-hosted by individuals or organizations with full control but also full responsibility for setup and maintenance costs. For beginners, using public nodes from platforms like Gate offers quick onboarding; advanced users with special needs may consider running private nodes.