Light, Full, and Master Nodes: Definition, Differences

What Is a Node? In the context of cryptocurrencies, a node is a computer that participates in a blockchain network by performing specific tasks related to verifying transactions and storing data. Nodes are not the same as miners and stakers, and they work together in a symbiotic relationship. Miners and stakers depend on nodes to download and verify partial or complete blockchain history and to access the latest blockchain data before they can start mining or participating in the validation process. 1 Once a miner successfully creates a block, they broadcast it to the network using nodes for dissemination to other miners and stakers. Stakers sometimes receive their reward distributions through nodes and submit votes to nodes to decide on blockchain proposals and participate in network governance. Nodes independently verify the newly mined block, ensuring its authenticity and adherence to the network's rules without the input of miners and stakers. 1 KEY TAKEAWAYS Master nodes are high-powered nodes that go beyond the transaction verification capabilities of regular, light nodes and full nodes in a blockchain network, offering governance power and advanced features. Light nodes and full nodes differ in how much blockchain history they store and require less technical resources and expertise than master nodes, including computing hardware, energy costs, and Internet bandwidth. Master nodes sometimes ask for a blockchain's cryptocurrency as collateral, to pledge commitment to securing the network, and are awarded a percentage as earnings. Master Nodes A master node, or masternode, is a special type of node that serves a number of different functions and performs additional responsibilities beyond those of a regular node, including verifying transactions to make sure they are valid and have not already been spent, and enabling additional features, such as instant and private transactions, decentralized applications (dApps), and governance oversight to vote on changes to the protocol and allow the community to have a say in how the network is run. 2 The characteristics of many blockchain networks' masternodes largely mirror those of the Dash cryptocurrency (DASH), which originally pioneered the concept. In order to run a master node, you typically need to own special server hardware designed for high-performance computing and a certain amount of the cryptocurrency that the network uses. Backing the master node with financial assets is called collateralization, and it helps to ensure that master nodes are run by people who are invested in the success of the network. 3 Some master nodes do not require you to own any cryptocurrency as collateral. However, non-collateralized master nodes may not have as much power as collateralized master nodes. Other master nodes are run by multiple people. Shared master nodes can help reduce the cost of running a master node, but it can also make it more difficult to manage. 2 Light and Full Nodes A regular node, also known as just a node or a light node, and a full node are other types of nodes that are usually present in blockchain networks with master nodes. Light nodes, full nodes, and master nodes all verify transactions on a blockchain. Their differences lie in the extent of their responsibilities and the technical requirements to keep them running. A full node downloads and stores the entire blockchain history, also known as the ledger, to verify the validity of all transactions and blocks on the blockchain. A light node downloads, stores, and verifies only a portion of the blockchain data. This data is usually the block header, which contains the most important information about each block, such as the block hash, timestamp, and previous block hash. 2 When a transaction is received, the light node verifies it by asking a full node for the corresponding block. The full node then sends the block to the light node, which can then use the information in the block header to verify the transaction. Light nodes and full nodes relay information about transactions and blocks to other nodes on the network, helping to keep the network synchronized. 2 Because full nodes can validate all transactions and blocks, they can be used to audit the blockchain and identify any fraudulent or invalid activity. In some blockchain networks, full nodes can participate in the governance process and vote on proposals that affect the future of the network, similar to master nodes. 2 Master nodes perform all the functions of a full node and more. As a result of their scarcity and advanced functionalities, master nodes often receive direct rewards for their services and require a significant commitment in resources and expertise. Light and full nodes rarely receive direct rewards and can be run by anyone with less resources and expertise, though full nodes require more storage space, computer processing power, electricity power, and bandwidth in their Internet connections than light nodes. 2 Light nodes can be hosted with laptop and desktop computers, mobile phones, and Raspberry Pis, making them a resource-efficient alternative to full nodes and master nodes. 4 5 Full nodes are geared more to desktop computers and public or private servers. Master nodes rely almost exclusively on dedicated servers which can be a physical server or a virtual server. 3 Which Blockchains Have and Don't Have Master Nodes? The concept of master nodes was first introduced by the Dash blockchain in 2014. 3 Blockchains that have since also adopted master nodes include Decred (DCR), Horizen (ZEN), PIVX (PIVX), Zcoin (XZC), Energi (NRG), and Syscoin (SYS). Not all blockchains have master nodes even if they have regular nodes and full nodes, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. 6 What Are the Pros and Cons of Master Nodes? Master nodes secure a blockchain by verifying transactions and providing governance and can be used to facilitate faster and more private transactions than blockchains without master nodes. Master nodes mask sender and receiver information and obfuscate the origin and destination of funds, a level of anonymity not possible with full or light nodes. However, master nodes can be expensive and lead to centralization of the network, as the people who run them have more power than other users and you need to own a certain amount of the cryptocurrency. Light and full nodes are open to anyone, contributing to decentralization. 2 What Are the Technical Requirements for Light, Full, and Master Nodes? Light nodes usually only need up to 100 GB SSD, 4 GB RAM, a dual-core CPU or equivalent processing power, and an Internet connection with moderate bandwidth in the megabytes or gigabytes per second to download and synchronize with the blockchain network. 7 Full nodes and master nodes require at least several gigabytes or terabytes of SSD, 8 GB or more of RAM, multi-core CPU or equivalent processing power, and a high-bandwidth Internet connection in the gigabits per second to additionally handle potential network traffic. 3 The Bottom Line Light, full, and master nodes are computers that verify transactions and store data but do not create and validate new blocks like miners and stakers in a blockchain network, who rely on nodes for data access, transaction verification, and network stability. Master nodes are specialized nodes that perform additional tasks beyond those of light and full nodes, supporting governance decisions and advanced features. Master nodes often earn rewards for their service and may require collateralization. Investing in cryptocurrencies and other Initial Coin Offerings (“ICOs”) is highly risky and speculative, and this article is not a recommendation by Investopedia or the writer to invest in cryptocurrencies or other ICOs. Since each individual's situation is unique, a qualified professional should always be consulted before making any financial decisions. Investopedia makes no representations or warranties as to the accuracy or timeliness of the information contained herein. Compete Risk Free with $100,000 in Virtual Cash Put your trading skills to the test with our FREE Stock Simulator. Compete with thousands of Investopedia traders and trade your way to the top! Submit trades in a virtual environment before you start risking your own money. Practice trading strategies so that when you're ready to enter the real market, you've had the practice you need. Try our Stock Simulator today >>