Node

How it is used

Developers and infrastructure teams run, sync and connect to nodes. A full node stores and checks the whole chain; many apps use a node provider through an RPC endpoint instead of running their own. More independent nodes usually mean a more decentralized network.

Example sentences

1. Our node fell behind after the upgrade and had to resync from the last snapshot.

2. Anyone can run a full node and check the rules independently.

Common collocations

• run a node
• full node
• node operator
• sync a node
• node provider

Related terms

• blockchainA shared digital record of transactions that is copied across many computers. New data is added in blocks, and each block is linked to the one before it, so past records are very hard to change.
• decentralizedNot controlled by one company, server or person. In a decentralized system, many independent participants share control and keep the network running together.
• peer-to-peerDirectly between users, without a bank, server or other middleman in between. Blockchain networks are peer-to-peer: computers connect and share data with each other directly.
• validatorA participant in a proof-of-stake network who locks up coins and runs software to propose new blocks and check blocks proposed by others. Validators earn rewards and can be penalized for misbehaving.
• ledgerA record of who owns what and of every transfer between accounts. A blockchain is a type of distributed ledger: many computers keep the same copy instead of one bank or company.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

• node · Software Engineering
• node · Cloud Computing & DevOps

More terms: Blockchain Basics

• block
• hash
• immutable
• whitepaper
• on-chain
• off-chain