[Newbie] What is a Node actually?

[D0WN3D]

I searched on some forums for help, but so far i still don't understand. What is the diference between a node on a VPS and an user keeping his core wallet open 24/7. What i know is that when you transform your VPS into a full node, you're basically compiling the wallet and keep it open 24/7 on that VPS. But if i keep my core wallet open 24/7 on my PC is still a node? Also, what is the use of rcp_user and rcp_password ? Don't hate plz.

[odolvlobo]

A node is a node regardless of what machine it is running on. The important part is that it is connected and communicating with other nodes.

I remember a long time ago that rcp_user and rcp_password were used for mining, but the mining functionality has been removed. I don't know what else they might be used for.

[p3rplexamous]

I searched on some forums for help, but so far i still don't understand. What is the diference between a node on a VPS and an user keeping his core wallet open 24/7. What i know is that when you transform your VPS into a full node, you're basically compiling the wallet and keep it open 24/7 on that VPS. But if i keep my core wallet open 24/7 on my PC is still a node? Also, what is the use of rcp_user and rcp_password ? Don't hate plz.

A node is what miners broadcasts their blocks to in order to add them to the blockchain.  The more nodes that are up, the stronger the network.  A node can be a handful of things, like a wallet running a full copy of the blockchain is a node (bitcoin core client), it can be something like a raspberry pi with software to run a fully copy of the blockchain or something like bitseeds full nodes they sell (https://bitseed.org/).

Basically its anything that runs a full copy of the blockchain, and is connected to the internet to broadcast or rebroadcast transactions in order to keep the ledger up to date and accurate, and if you are a Bitcoin supporter, I cannot stress enough how important it is to run a full node if you can, as it helps support the community and network of Bitcoin.

[D0WN3D]

So if I make my own altcoin and keep the core wallet open 24/7 with the blockchain on my PC, other users can connect to me as a node?

[RodeoX]

So if I make my own altcoin and keep the core wallet open 24/7 with the blockchain on my PC, other users can connect to me as a node?

Well no. If you make an alt-coin you fork the network and no other nodes will connect to you. You will have created another network running your coin. So you are also going to need a wallet capable of running your coin.

[D0WN3D]

So if I make my own altcoin and keep the core wallet open 24/7 with the blockchain on my PC, other users can connect to me as a node?

Well no. If you make an alt-coin you fork the network and no other nodes will connect to you. You will have created another network running your coin. So you are also going to need a wallet capable of running your coin.

Yes. If I'm making my own altcoin and wallet. And I keep it open 24/7 with the full blockchain, will I need an VPS to host the node?

[OgNasty]

[RodeoX]

So if I make my own altcoin and keep the core wallet open 24/7 with the blockchain on my PC, other users can connect to me as a node?

Well no. If you make an alt-coin you fork the network and no other nodes will connect to you. You will have created another network running your coin. So you are also going to need a wallet capable of running your coin.

Yes. If I'm making my own altcoin and wallet. And I keep it open 24/7 with the full blockchain, will I need an VPS to host the node?

If I understand correctly you would not. Bitcoin (and maybe your alt) are peer to peer and no centralized server is required. If you are up 24/7 then your network will have at least one node up all the time.  As people join your network it becomes stronger than a server based system because it is hugely redundant.

In a server system taking out the server takes the network offline. In a node system all nodes must be taken out to interrupt the network. It is a far more resilient idea.