Definition
In the world of cryptocurrencies and blockchain, the term node refers to each computer that runs the Bitcoin client. The Bitcoin network consists of thousands of computer nodes spread around the world, making it a peer-to-peer, distributed economic system.
Understanding the term
In any blockchain, each node functions as a communication point in the network. Different types of nodes are responsible for different sets of functions. In the case of Bitcoin, nodes are divided into four major groups – Lightweight or SPV clients, full nodes, listening nodes (supernodes), and miner nodes.
Full nodes verify transactions and blocks according to the rules of the Bitcoin protocol enforced by the consensus algorithm.
Listening nodes are full nodes that are accessible and publicly visible. They communicate with another node that wants to establish a connection. They are also responsible for providing blockchain data to other nodes, functioning as a communication bridge.
The mining nodes are responsible for running specialized mining software along with ASIC machines. Compared to solo miners who validate nodes, pool miners often computational resources without downloading the entire blockchain data.
Takeaway
Unlike miners, participants running nodes do not earn any rewards. Nodes can be used to simply maintain the latest record of transactions in a blockchain.