Nodes (2024)

Nodes (1)

A node refers to software that participates in a network. A bitcoin node participates in the bitcoin network. A lightning node participates in the lightning network. Any bitcoin application that wants to show, send, or receive transactions needs a way to connect to a node.

There are multiple aspects that differentiate nodes:

  • Is it controlled by you or someone else? How much trust is involved?
  • Does it verify the data it receives?
  • Does it store all transaction data or only data relevant to you?
  • Does the node have a local hot wallet, or does it simply connect to wallet applications? How exactly does it connect?
  • Security considerations, such as the risk of receiving manipulated data
  • Privacy considerations, such as tracing your transaction behaviour
  • Does the node need to always be online? What if it isn’t?

Node setups #

From complete control, to fully trusting a single third party, there are a variety of ways users can run a node. Below are examples of some common node setups.

Hardware #

Nodes (2)

Hardware nodes are dedicated devices, usually Raspberry Pi’s, that run a bitcoin node, a lightning node, or both. Hardware nodes can come with local wallet functionality, or simply be connected to users external wallets. These are ideal for lightning routing nodes that need near perfect uptime.

Several plug-and-play hardware node options exist such as Umbrel, MyNode, RoninDojo, Raspiblitz and Start9.

Local #

Nodes (3)

Local nodes run on local devices. For example, a bitcoin node could be the Bitcoin Core software running on a desktop computer, or a non-custodial lightning node could run on a user’s mobile phone, like Breez wallet.

Hosted #

Nodes (4)

Hosted nodes are run on third-party servers. These provide good uptime and stability compared to self hosted options. While you have some degree of control over hosted nodes, they know your transaction history and could potentially give you incorrect information which is bad for security and privacy.

Greenlight and Validating Lightning Signer (VLS) are experimental ways to run a hosted lightning node whilst users keep custody of their bitcoin. Hosted lightning nodes that custody the users private keys are not recommended.

Multiple third-party #

Nodes (5)

Connecting to multiple untrusted third-parties can be a good idea if compact block filters are used. This prevents third parties from analyzing which data belongs to the user, an important privacy benefit. It also reduces the risk of receiving manipulated data from a single third-party node, as data from multiple sources can be compared.

Third-party #

Nodes (6)

Connecting to a single node controlled by a third-party is a convenient setup for starters, or when the economic cost of running a node is too high. This should only be used if there is a good trust relationship or potential loss is minimal. Too many users relying on third-party nodes can lead to network centralization, so it is generally discouraged.

Third-party API #

Nodes (7)

Third-party APIs should be avoided. These are custom connection mechanisms built on top of nodes, and there is no way to validate the authenticity of the data.

Lightning nodes #

Depending on the use case, lightning nodes can be operated in different ways. Some need consistent uptime, large amounts of liquidity, and to be well connected with other lightning nodes. Others are only periodically online or interacting with the network.

A lightning nodes primary purpose is to track payment channel states, and calculate routes for payments to take through lightning. A lightning node needs to be online to receive and send payments.

Currently, Self-custody on lightning requires a user to run their own node and regularly come online to monitor their payment channels for cheating attempts. Work is being done to separate custody and node operation with projects like Greenlight and Validating Lightning Signer (VLS).

Routing nodes #

Nodes (8)

Routing nodes are the backbone of lightning. They serve as hubs that route payments between users. They have regular uptime, large amounts of liquidity, usually run on dedicated hardware, and are well connected with other lightning nodes.

In many cases, these node operators aim to profit by taking fees for routing payments or leasing their liquidity out to other users.

Merchant nodes #

Nodes (9)

Merchant nodes are primarily used for receiving lightning payments. Merchants run these so they can accept payments at their stores. These nodes need to be online regularly as they receive constant payments. Many merchants use dedicated hardware to run their merchant nodes.

Payment nodes #

Nodes (10)

Payment nodes are used by end-users to send and receive lightning payments. These usually run on the users mobile as part of their lightning wallet and are only online when the app is open.

As they are not always online, they need to be periodically checked or use a watchtower to prevent theft from their payment channel counterparties.

Bitcoin nodes #

Based on use case and context, bitcoin nodes can be behave differently. Some store and verify the complete bitcoin blockchain. Others are optimized for efficiency and usability, usually at the expense of some security and privacy.

Full nodes #

A full node is bitcoin software that fully verifies and enforces the rules of the bitcoin network. An example of a rule is that there will never be more than 21 million bitcoin.

Archival #

Nodes (11)

Archival full nodes verify and store the entire bitcoin blockchain locally. They also send historical data to other nodes. These are sometimes referred to as listening nodes.

Pruned #

Nodes (12)

Pruned full nodes only store a portion of recent block data. The amount of recent block data that can be stored can be modified by users depending on their storage capacity.

Light nodes #

A light node is bitcoin software that does not verify or enforce the rules of the bitcoin network. Light nodes trust third parties to receive block data.

Simplified payment verification (SPV) #

Nodes (13)

SPV light nodes query and download block headers from full nodes, making it possible for users to verify transactions without running a full node.

For more information:

Neutrino #

Nodes (14)

Neutrino light nodes use the Neutrino protocol, which uses compact block filters to query and download condensed representations of blocks that contain transaction data relevant to the user.

For more information:

Next, let’s learn about the different bitcoin payment request formats that exist.

Nodes (2024)

FAQs

Nodes? ›

A small mass or lump of body tissue that either occurs naturally, as in the case of lymph nodes, or is a result of disease. Botany. A point on a stem where a leaf is or has been attached. A swelling or lump on a tree; a knob or knot.

What is a node in medical terms? ›

a. : a pathological swelling or enlargement (as of a rheumatic joint) b. : a body part resembling a knot. especially : a discrete mass of one kind of tissue enclosed in tissue of a different kind see atrioventricular node, lymph node.

What are nodes in human body? ›

Lymph nodes are small structures that work as filters for foreign substances, such as cancer cells and infections. They contain immune cells that can help fight infection by attacking and destroying germs that are carried in through the lymph fluid.

What is nodes in disease? ›

Lymph nodes are small, bean-shaped organs that are the size of a pea. You have nodes throughout your body including in your armpits, neck and groin. Your lymph nodes can swell or get bigger, which is a sign that your body is fighting an infection or an illness.

What are nodes in music? ›

A node is a point along a standing wave where the wave has minimum amplitude. For instance, in a vibrating guitar string, the ends of the string are nodes. By changing the position of the end node through frets, the guitarist changes the effective length of the vibrating string and thereby the note played.

How serious are nodes? ›

If you can feel a lymph node that's bigger than a half-inch, or if you can't move it with your finger, that's more worrisome,” says Beomjune B. Kim, MD, Head and Neck and Microvascular Reconstructive Surgeon at City of Hope Atlanta. Also, if it feels firm, that may cause concern, he says.

When should you worry about a node? ›

See your doctor if you're concerned or if your swollen lymph nodes: Have appeared for no apparent reason. Continue to enlarge or have been present for two to four weeks. Feel hard or rubbery, or don't move when you push on them.

Are nodes cancerous? ›

So having swollen lymph nodes does not mean you definitely have cancer. When a provider suspects that cancer cells may be present in lymph nodes, certain tests may be performed to detect cancer, such as: Lymph node biopsy or removal. B-cell leukemia/lymphoma panel on the lymph node.

Do nodes go away? ›

After the infection is gone, the nodes slowly return to normal size. This may take 2 to 4 weeks. However, they won't ever completely go away.

How are nodes caused? ›

Swollen lymph nodes are your body's natural reaction to illness or infection. These small lumps are soft, tender and often painful. The most common cause of swollen lymph nodes is an upper respiratory infection, but they can have many causes.

Are nodes life threatening? ›

Most of the conditions that cause swollen lymph nodes, like common viral infections, aren't serious. The most serious underlying conditions that cause swollen lymph nodes are cancer and sepsis, an extreme immune response that can be life threatening. Both are rare causes of swollen lymph nodes.

What is the best treatment for nodes? ›

The most common treatment for swollen lymph nodes caused by a bacterial infection is antibiotics. If your swollen lymph nodes are due to an HIV infection, you'll receive specific treatment for that condition. Immune disorder.

What are inflammatory nodes? ›

Lymphadenitis is the medical term for inflamed and enlarged lymph nodes. It is usually due to an infection. Lymph nodes are filled with white blood cells that help your body fight infections.

What do nodes do? ›

Each network node acts as a connection point for data transmission, process recognition, packet switching, and network distribution. Generally, nodes are programmed to identify, process, and transmit data from one node to another. They can perform several functions based on the application and network.

What are nodes in psychology? ›

In psychological networks, nodes represent various psychological variables (e.g. attitudes, cognitions, moods, symptoms, behaviours), while edges represent unknown statistical relationships (e.g. correlations, predictive relationships) that can be estimated from the data.

What are the three different types of nodes? ›

Nodes in the graph are connected via edges. It has different types of nodes which are called parent node, child node, leaf node, etc.

What is a node in healthcare? ›

Node: Literally a knot, a node is a collection of tissue. For example a lymph node, is a collection of lymphoid tissue. A nodule is a small node, a little collection of tissue.

What is the difference between a tumor and a node? ›

Tumor (T): Including its location and size. Nodes (N): If the cancer's spread to nearby lymph nodes, and if so, how many. Metastasis (M): If cancer cells have traveled to other parts of your body.

What does a node indicate? ›

A node represents a branching point from the ancestral population. Terminals occur at the topmost part of each branch, and they are labeled by the taxa of the population represented by that branch.

Is a node cancerous? ›

So having swollen lymph nodes does not mean you definitely have cancer. When a provider suspects that cancer cells may be present in lymph nodes, certain tests may be performed to detect cancer, such as: Lymph node biopsy or removal. B-cell leukemia/lymphoma panel on the lymph node.

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