A node (in blockchain) is one of a collection of computers that manage the blockchain and its services. Depending on the type of node, it can perform different functions, such as searching, processing information, or creating new blocks. Blockchain nodes are the basic components of the blockchain architecture and ensure its decentralization.

Node Assignment

Visualization of node operation. From left to right — a user’s action in the network passes through a node (in the center) and is recorded in the blockchain, after which the result of the recording is available to other users

Data Storage: Nodes store all data of transactions, blocks and other blockchain elements. This allows users to access information about past transactions and the state of the network.
Transaction Processing: Nodes process incoming transactions, check them for validity and add them to blocks. This ensures the security and reliability of the network.
Creation of new blocks: Nodes participate in the process of creating new blocks by checking, adding the transactions in progress and forming a new block.
Work Allocation: Nodes allocate work among themselves to speed up the transaction processing and block creation process.
Consensus Building: Nodes participate in the consensus checking process to ensure that all nodes agree on the current state of the network.
Error detection and correction: Nodes detect errors in the network and help correct them by updating their copies of the blockchain.
Decentralization support: Nodes support the decentralized structure of the network, allowing it to operate without central control.
Support scalability: Nodes allow the network to scale by adding new nodes to handle more transactions.
Privacy: Nodes help ensure user privacy by encrypting data and using anonymity mechanisms.

Node Types

There are four main types of nodes in TON blockchain:

Full nodes (Full nodes) are the technological backbone of the blockchain, as they provide storage for the entire blockchain registry and the creation of new blocks. By uploading and storing copies of all blocks and transactions, they are able to independently verify the history of the blockchain. Within peer-to-peer network, full nodes communicate with each other to ensure synchronization and maintain a stable state of the blockchain. Blockchain developers and organizations that require a high level of security and control over their transactions on the blockchain often use this type of nodes. These nodes also include the following major functional subtypes:
1. Validator nodes (Validators) are designed to verify operations and create and validate new blocks. Such nodes provide complex computations aimed at creating new blocks. They are operated by large validator pools or by individuals who have the financial ability to invest the necessary amount for staking. Validator nodes are critical components of the blockchain network, ensuring that new transactions are processed and added to the blockchain in a timely and secure manner.
2. Liteserver nodes are nodes designed to interact with decentralized services. Liteserver nodes do not download the entire blockchain, but only a small portion of the blockchain that contains information related to their transactions. In order to receive and then transmit information to various services (e.g., TON APIs), they must validate their transactions by contacting several full nodes in the network. This type of blockchain node is designed for fast and straightforward transaction processing and day-to-day operations, and is second only to archival nodes. Often, lightweight nodes provide BaseChain operations and are equipped with only the necessary data, while full nodes are relied upon to function, as they do not load the entire block of data, but are merely endpoints of processes.
3. Archive nodes (Archive nodes) — these nodes store historical blockchain data, i.e. all transactions since the beginning of time. Archive full nodes are the only valuable and reliable source for verifying transaction data from earlier periods in the blockchain's history, as they are not subject to the time or storage limits of other full nodes. This type of node requires a large amount of available memory. While other nodes are useful in the network because they increase security and decentralization, archival full nodes are necessary because they are a mandatory element to keep the blockchain fully functional.
Other functional nodes are nodes designed to keep TON network and services fully functional. These can be proxy nodes that provide access to Web3 resources and anonymity when using them, or nodes of TON Storage providers.

How to become a Node Owner

In order to own a node in TON, you need to:

Allocate a device that fits the following minimum requirements: Processor: 16 cores RAM: 128 GB Permanent memory*: NVME SSD, minimum 1 TB or storage with IOPS (I/O operations per second) parameter 64+k Internet connection speed: at least 1 Gbps Public IP address: fixed Required traffic volume (per month, at peak load): 16 TB
Prepare the device for use as a node according to instructions from TON Foundation (configuration will vary depending on which node is needed)

* for archive nodes requires 8 TB of persistent storage and the use of ZFS technology space with compression enabled on 4 TB of storage

Links