Node is any computer or device that runs a blockchain's software and participates in the network. Nodes form the fundamental infrastructure that keeps the network secure and operational.

The Keepers of the Digital Ledger

In a decentralized network, there is no central server to store all the data. Instead, the network is composed of thousands of independent nodes distributed around the world. Each node maintains a copy of the entire blockchain ledger, and they constantly communicate with each other to ensure every copy is synchronized and up-to-date.

There are different types of nodes, including a Full-Node, which stores a complete historical copy of the blockchain and independently verifies every transaction. Other nodes, like a Light-Node, store only a portion of the data and rely on a Full-Node to verify transactions. The sheer number of independent full nodes is what makes a blockchain so resilient and resistant to censorship.

The Role in the Ecosystem

Nodes perform a variety of critical functions, including Validating Transactions, where they check that every transaction is valid and follows the network's rules before it is added to a block; Storing Data, where they act as a decentralized database, providing a transparent and tamper-proof record of every transaction; and Enforcing Rules, where they enforce the network's consensus rules and reject any invalid data, ensuring the integrity of the blockchain.

The collective work of all the nodes is what makes a blockchain secure and reliable without the need for a central authority.