Running a full node even if I never win a satoshi

[1dullgeek]

I have downloaded and installed the 0.12 bitcoin core client and am running it on my very old linux server at my home.  I'm doing this not because I expect to win any BTC doing this. I'm doing it because I want to participate in the network. In the hopes that I would actually help in some way.

But it strikes me that all of my CPU cycles will simply be wasted if I never contribute a winning block. Basically, at this point, my server will receive and forward transactions across the network and that's it.

Two basic questions:

• Apart from forwarding transactions, is there any value in my running the code?
• If not, is there a way to disable mining and just do transaction forwarding?

Thanks.

[1715284776]

1715284776

[1715284776]

1715284776

[DannyHamilton]

• Apart from forwarding transactions, is there any value in my running the code?

Yes.  You are enforcing the consensus rules.

• Your node will reject any blocks that don't follow the consensus rules.
• Your node will reject any transactions that don't follow the consensus rules.
• Your node will reject connections from peers that send too many invalid blocks or invalid transactions

In this way your node maintains the global database of transaction history and prevents miners from changing the consensus rules without the consensus of the users (including you).

• If not, is there a way to disable mining and just do transaction forwarding?

The Bitcoin Core node does not do any mining anymore.  You will never solve a block, because you are not mining.

[1dullgeek]

Thank you.