How do blockchain nodes find each other?

What are blockchain nodes?

Build a token bridge has a Blockchain nodes are electronic devices with an IP Address and connected to a blockchain network through the Internet

Nodes allow a blockchain system . It's like a playground where everything happens. This playground consists of multiple blockchain platforms that can be private, public, or hybrid.

A blockchain node can perform different functions depending on the requirements of the blockchain. Some of the basic tasks you can perform are:

Facilitating communication

Accept or reject a transaction

Processing a transaction

transaction management

Crypto-linked block storage

Why do you need blockchain nodes?

Blockchain technology ensures data integrity and enhances the credibility of the network. For this, the same ledger is globally distributed among multiple systems.

So imagine if a blockchain network is limited to one place. It will be easier for a hacker to modify block values ​​and exploit the network. This is the reason why blockchain is distributed all over the world without a central hub to manage it; therefore, the concept of decentralization was implemented.

How do blockchain nodes work?

To maintain data integrity, everyone on the network must know that each transaction is valid and that there are no double records to facilitate cheating.

Since there is no central authority to manage the network, achieving consensus is how members can verify whether transactions are valid or not. Network nodes accomplish this between users and help secure a blockchain.

Consensus may have a set of rules for a blockchain to function and confirm the validity of data. Since the blockchain can be large with a large number of systems and users, a consensus algorithm is required to validate the information in the blocks. Proof of Work and Proof of Stake are popular consensus algorithms that rely on nodes (full nodes) to enforce network rules and validate transactions.

Types of Blockchain Nodes

There are different types of nodes that provide different functionality. Even users that interact with a blockchain network can be called nodes. However, not every device in a blockchain network is a node and performs the same function.

Nodes in a blockchain network are classified based on their functions and the requirements of the blockchain. For example, one node may be used to maintain transaction logs while other nodes may not perform this task.

A blockchain can have different nodes for users, customers, service providers, and others.

Let's look at the different types of blockchain nodes.

#1. full nodes

Full nodes are responsible for maintaining all transaction records on a blockchain network. Blockchain servers where data is stored and maintained are considered.

There are several governance models of a blockchain that full nodes can submit to. If improvements are to be made to a blockchain, most full nodes must be ready for it. Therefore, it can be concluded that full nodes have voting power to make any changes to a blockchain.

However, certain scenarios can also arise when a change is not implemented even after the majority of full nodes agree to the change. It can happen when a big decision has to be made.

For example, about 52% of full nodes agree to a change, but 48% don't (which is a pretty close number). In such a case, a cryptocurrency hard fork can occur where the blockchain would split in half and the stock is not backwards compatible. When this happens, the newly created blockchain will work based on the changes suggested by the majority of full nodes, while the old blockchain will continue to work as before.

There are two types of full nodes:

Full nodes pruned

Pruned nodes are given a specific memory capacity to store data. This means that any number of blocks can be added, but a full node can only store a limited number of blocks.

To maintain the ledger, deleted nodes can keep downloading the block until it reaches the specified limit. Once the limit is reached, the node starts deleting the oldest blocks and making room for new ones to maintain the size of the blockchain. However, it does not remove old blocks entirely, as their sequence and metadata are still recorded on the blockchain, adhering to the key principles of Blockchain technology.

Full file nodes

Full nodes of this type are commonly found in a blockchain network. Build a cross chain bridge Archive full nodes maintain the full blockchain and differ from pruned full nodes in terms of memory capacity. These nodes are of different types:

Mining Nodes: You need certain nodes for high computations and solving complicated math functions to check logs. This requires a lot of computational power and consumes a lot of energy in the process. Mining nodes are perfect for the mining process, which involves consensus algorithms like Proof of Work.

#two. light nodes

Light nodes are used to store data and provide only the information needed to facilitate daily tasks or enable faster transactions. These nodes are also known as Simplified Payment Verification (SPV) nodes. These nodes do not validate the blocks; instead, they only store block headers.

#3. super nodes

Super nodes are used to perform certain special tasks and are implemented on some blockchains. It can be used to establish or maintain the rules of a blockchain, implement a change in protocol, etc.

#4. lighting nodes

Lighting nodes build an individual with a user, pushing all transactions to the main blockchain. This facilitates instant transactions while reducing the cost involved in the transaction as the load is reduced on the network.