Full Node

A full node is a type of node that participates in a blockchain network, performing some function for the network, like securing the network or validating transaction data.

Different types of nodes exist, performing slightly different functions or similar functions, but in a slightly more or less capacity.

The different node types include full nodes, light nodes, and miner nodes.

While light nodes store only parts of the blockchain, a full node stores a complete copy of the blockchain data. Information about every block and the recorded transactions within each block is available in the full copy of the blockchain.

As full nodes store the entire blockchain database, every blockchain network has at least one full node operating on the network.

It isn’t necessary that every node in a network be a full node.

Light nodes, for instance, only store a part of the blockchain. This helps make light nodes more efficient in processing transactions on a daily basis.

Light nodes only access relevant blocks necessary for processing at that specific time, so they don’t need a full copy of the blockchain.

They can however still request complete copies of blocks if needed during their processing tasks.

Full nodes exist in other variations as well. They include the following types:

Master Nodes
Mining Nodes
Archival Nodes
Staking Nodes
Authority Nodes
Pruned Nodes

Each node type performs a different integral function for the blockchain.

With public, permissionless blockchains becoming more popular, it’s very easy to set up your own node and get involved in a blockchain of your choice.

Related Terms

Genesis Block

The very first block or first few blocks recorded on a blockchain or blockchain-based protocol. The genesis block is often called Block 0 or Block 1. The genesis block sets the foundation for the rest of the blocks that are added to form a chain of blocks. That’s where we get the word “blockchain”. The most famous genesis block, and the very first Bitcoin block, called the Genesis Block, was created on January 3rd, 2009, by Bitcoin’s infamous and mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto. Some consider this date to be the start of the cryptocurrency revolution – the start of it all!

Blockchain

Blockchain networks are at the heart of cryptocurrencies. A blockchain is a database, or digital ledger, made up of a series of interconnected blocks containing transaction data created on the network over some period of time. Each block in a blockchain also contains a unique identifier unlike any other block in the chain called a hash. Think of the hash as a fingerprint identifying that block for all other blocks. Distributed ledger technology (DLT) is another name frequently used in relation to blockchains.

Immutability

A core feature of blockchains that makes their ledgers, the data record of transactions, unchangeable and unalterable. Immutability drives the trustworthiness and integrity of blockchain data as chain transactions and rulesets are protected from fraud, hacking and other wrongdoing.

Soft Fork

In relation to blockchain technology, a soft fork involves introducing changes to a blockchain’s underlining protocol or software that are minor in nature. These software updates can take the form of new blockchain functionality, upgrades to network performance, enhancements that correct security issues, or even changes to the consensus rules that govern how blocks are created and validated on a blockchain. Forks are necessary for providing decentralized blockchains a way to make changes to the blockchain since there isn’t a central authority governing all aspects of blockchain development and evolution.

Distributed Ledger Technology

A database that is used to record transactions across a network of devices, usually computers or servers. “Distributed” refers to how the nodes (or computers or servers) of the network are designed architecturally, and where they are located geographically. “Ledger” in this context, and traditionally, simply refers to a centralized database that is used to store financial records, such as a company’s financials, liabilities, revenues, owner’s equity, and other financial information. Now, combine the two ideas and you have a ledger that is distributed across many devices, instead of one device, in many different locations, possibly around the world. Even if one of those locations disappears, or a computer or server goes down, the ledger is still intact, still secure, and the data stored within the ledger can still be processed, validated, and authenticated to.