Bitcoin Forum

Bitcoin => Bitcoin Discussion => Topic started by: PremiumCodeX on February 08, 2017, 09:15:45 PM



Title: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: PremiumCodeX on February 08, 2017, 09:15:45 PM
As far as I know, in BTC network miners are not necessarily full nodes. Miners earn profit for mining blocks. With mining blocks, they contribute to the BTC network, but they do not contain the whole blockchain. Full nodes have the whole blockchain downloaded. So, I have a few questions related the two or three expressions. I think, it will be helpful to clarify to others too. Sooo

What are the differences between full nodes and not full nodes?
What are the differences between not full nodes and miners?
Are all full nodes miners too?

I think, giving simple and exact definition to each expression clears up all. But I also opened this thread because I want to hear your opinion

What are the advantages of running one or another? Are you running any of them and why?


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: Lauda on February 08, 2017, 10:27:28 PM
As far as I know, in BTC network miners are not necessarily full nodes. Miners earn profit for mining blocks. With mining blocks, they contribute to the BTC network, but they do not contain the whole blockchain. ]
Wrong. How would they be able to verify that a block is valid or not without having a blockchain? Miners should have a full copy of the ledger. There is also something called SPV mining, i.e. where miners build upon a block that they've received without validating it. However, this is unsafe and has caused issues in the past.

What are the differences between full nodes and not full nodes?
You use weird wording. Are you referring to 'pruned nodes' as in "not full nodes"? Otherwise your question makes little sense.

What are the differences between not full nodes and miners?

Are all full nodes miners too?
No. Full nodes are vital to the security of the ecosystem. However, they aren't primarily designated for mining. They keep a copy of the ledger, verify & relay blocks and transactions around the globe.

What are the advantages of running one or another? Are you running any of them and why?
You haven't specified the "another". Either you are running a full node (or pruned node) or you're not. There is no such thing as a "not full node".

Read here for a list of benefits (it's primarily security and privacy): https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Full_node


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: greentea on February 08, 2017, 10:43:19 PM
If you really believe in bitcoin, running a full node helps support the network by accepting transactions and connecting to other nodes.

Also, they help support the light clients that are in operation.  Granted if you've sent transactions over the network, you've used someone else's full node, so why not run one :)


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: PremiumCodeX on February 11, 2017, 12:33:30 PM
-shorten-
Wrong. How would they be able to verify that a block is valid or not without having a blockchain? Miners should have a full copy of the ledger. There is also something called SPV mining, i.e. where miners build upon a block that they've received without validating it. However, this is unsafe and has caused issues in the past.

So, all miners have to keep a full copy of the ledger to run stable. Yes, I assumed there was a method like SPV mining since downloading the full ledger takes time and HDD space and it is just certain we are thinking whether we could avoid the unpleasant investment (in time and space) and jump right to the profit part. But if I understood right, it did not work out very well so you are strongly advised to download the full copy. I was assuming the same at running nodes that there could be a method to verify transactions...etc. without downloading the full copy. But I guess, it neither works at nodes then. Sooo, both miners and nodes have the full copy of the ledger downloaded, but they have different configurations as for purpose?

Quote from: greentea
If you really believe in bitcoin, running a full node helps support the network by accepting transactions and connecting to other nodes.

Also, they help support the light clients that are in operation.  Granted if you've sent transactions over the network, you've used someone else's full node, so why not run one...

That is true. Thank you for pointing out! Even light clients are dependent on the trust in nodes.


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: _nur on February 11, 2017, 12:53:32 PM
when running a full node

you can choose to run bitcoin core, bitcoin unlimited etc right? you can choose the implementation?


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: Decoded on February 11, 2017, 12:56:26 PM
The main advantage is that you're helping the decentralisation of the the Bitcoin network. The sad thing is is that you don't make any income from it, as no fees are sent your way. I guess another pro is if you want to make your transaction propagate faster Han the already lightning fast speed.


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: Lauda on February 11, 2017, 01:54:39 PM
So, all miners have to keep a full copy of the ledger to run stable. Yes, I assumed there was a method like SPV mining since downloading the full ledger takes time and HDD space and it is just certain we are thinking whether we could avoid the unpleasant investment (in time and space) and jump right to the profit part.
Only the IBD takes a lot of time. Syncing back a few hours/days of the blockchain doesn't take that long. It should be reasonable to assume that genuine pools have software (+ backups) running 24/7.

But if I understood right, it did not work out very well so you are strongly advised to download the full copy.
It can cause miners to mine on top of invalid blocks, which causes problems and monetary loss.

I was assuming the same at running nodes that there could be a method to verify transactions...etc. without downloading the full copy. But I guess, it neither works at nodes then. Sooo, both miners and nodes have the full copy of the ledger downloaded, but they have different configurations as for purpose?
You can run a node in pruned mode. This means that you only store a certain amount of MB of raw data (550 is the minimum in Core) + chainstate. However:
1) You still have to download and verify the whole chain.
2) You are no longer a traditional full node, as you don't have the full history and therefore you can't help others to become full nodes.

As far as node configurations are concerned, you can modify a lot of things: Mempool size, Minrelayfee, Only download but not relay blocks with 'listen=0', and so on.

you can choose to run bitcoin core, bitcoin unlimited etc right? you can choose the implementation?
Yes, but be careful with software that isn't properly tested.

I guess another pro is if you want to make your transaction propagate faster Han the already lightning fast speed.
What are you talking about? That is not possible.


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: squatz1 on February 11, 2017, 02:06:39 PM
If you really believe in bitcoin, running a full node helps support the network by accepting transactions and connecting to other nodes.

Also, they help support the light clients that are in operation.  Granted if you've sent transactions over the network, you've used someone else's full node, so why not run one :)

Yeah, the biggest thing right here with running a node is that you beleive in the bitcoin network and want to further help it run. It's not like mining or anything like a business opportunity where you'll be getting compensation for your hardware being used.

The main advantage is that you're helping the decentralisation of the the Bitcoin network. The sad thing is is that you don't make any income from it, as no fees are sent your way. I guess another pro is if you want to make your transaction propagate faster Han the already lightning fast speed.

I'll have to agree with you on it being sad that people don't make any income, but people have to really think that if you really believe in the cause you should really just go ahead and run a node. I've been thinking about doing it too but I don't know if I have the resources for it. Anyone know if you need to use your entire computer to run a node?



Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: Lauda on February 11, 2017, 02:08:15 PM
Anyone know if you need to use your entire computer to run a node?
No. The load on your computer will be very high during the IBD. After that is over, it will use a low % of your CPU and memory (you can change this setting).

The advantage is that you are supporting the network if you run a full node, since people will be able to download the transaction history from you. Also, this offers a very great security.
Obvious QTUM shit poster detected.


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: BiTZeD on February 11, 2017, 02:10:46 PM
The advantage is that you are supporting the network if you run a full node, since people will be able to download the transaction history from you. Also, this offers a very great security.


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: mobnepal on February 11, 2017, 02:34:21 PM
What are the advantages of running one or another? Are you running any of them and why?
Running full node is to support bitcoin network and also to secure your bitcoins. You may face different problem while using web wallets but if you have good internet and full blockchain node/wallet than you can move your bitcoin whenever you want.

Another advantage is to connect it with your bitcoin related projects so you don't have to rely on third party bitcoin payment gateway. Bitcoin full node is quite mandatory for all projects that need to generate unlimited number of bitcoin address as well as have to process deposit/withdraws instantly.

I haven't ran full node till now in my own laptop but i have one in my vps server.


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: vnvizow on February 11, 2017, 02:49:35 PM
Anyone know if you need to use your entire computer to run a node?
No. The load on your computer will be very high during the IBD. After that is over, it will use a low % of your CPU and memory (you can change this setting).

The advantage is that you are supporting the network if you run a full node, since people will be able to download the transaction history from you. Also, this offers a very great security.
Obvious QTUM shit poster detected.

An unedited post from 06:08:15 PM quoting a post from 06:10:46 PM? Lol we have a time-traveler here. Anyways OP's questions have pretty much been answered so prepare for this to become a sigdump of people saying the same thing over and over again


Title: Re: What's the advantage of running a full node?
Post by: PremiumCodeX on February 11, 2017, 05:50:22 PM
An unedited post from 06:08:15 PM quoting a post from 06:10:46 PM? Lol we have a time-traveler here. Anyways OP's questions have pretty much been answered so prepare for this to become a sigdump of people saying the same thing over and over again

Yes. In fact, all the important questions were answered clearly. I did not regret posting this thread as I found it extremely useful and I do not mind having it around since alot of people need to learn what we discussed here, but I will close the thread so that shitposters cannot ruin the point of discussion.