Nodes
A node refers to software that participates in a network. A bitcoin node participates in the bitcoin network. A lightning node participates in the lightning network. Any bitcoin application that wants to show, send, or receive transactions needs a way to connect to a node.
There are multiple aspects that differentiate nodes:
- Is it controlled by you or someone else? How much trust is involved?
- Does it verify the data it receives?
- Does it store all transaction data or only data relevant to you?
- Does the node have a local hot wallet, or does it simply connect to wallet applications? How exactly does it connect?
- Security considerations, such as the risk of receiving manipulated data
- Privacy considerations, such as tracing your transaction behaviour
- Does the node need to always be online? What if it isn’t?
Node setups
From complete control, to fully trusting a single third party, there are a variety of ways users can run a node. Below are examples of some common node setups.
Hardware
Hardware nodes are dedicated devices, usually Raspberry Pi’s, that run a bitcoin node, a lightning node, or both. Hardware nodes can come with local wallet functionality, or simply be connected to users external wallets. These are ideal for lightning routing nodes that need near perfect uptime.
Several plug-and-play hardware node options exist such as Umbrel, MyNode, RoninDojo, and Raspiblitz.
Local
Local nodes run on local devices. For example, a bitcoin node could be the Bitcoin Core software running on a desktop computer, or a non-custodial lightning node could run on a user’s mobile phone, like Breez wallet.
Hosted
Hosted nodes are run on third-party servers. These provide good uptime and stability compared to self hosted options. While you have some degree of control over hosted nodes, they know your transaction history and could potentially give you incorrect information which is bad for security and privacy.
Greenlight and Validating Lightning Signer (VLS) are experimental ways to run a hosted lightning node whilst users keep custody of their bitcoin. Hosted lightning nodes that custody the users private keys are not recommended.
Multiple third-party
Connecting to multiple untrusted third-parties can be a good idea if compact block filters are used. This prevents third parties from analyzing which data belongs to the user, an important privacy benefit. It also reduces the risk of receiving manipulated data from a single third-party node, as data from multiple sources can be compared.
Third-party
Connecting to a single node controlled by a third-party is a convenient setup for starters, or when the economic cost of running a node is too high. This should only be used if there is a good trust relationship or potential loss is minimal. Too many users relying on third-party nodes can lead to network centralization, so it is generally discouraged.
Third-party API
Third-party APIs should be avoided. These are custom connection mechanisms built on top of nodes, and there is no way to validate the authenticity of the data.
Lightning nodes
Depending on the use case, lightning nodes can be operated in different ways. Some need consistent uptime, large amounts of liquidity, and to be well connected with other lightning nodes. Others are only periodically online or interacting with the network.
A lightning nodes primary purpose is to track payment channel states, and calculate routes for payments to take through lightning. A lightning node needs to be online to receive and send payments.
Currently, Self-custody on lightning requires a user to run their own node and regularly come online to monitor their payment channels for cheating attempts. Work is being done to separate custody and node operation with projects like Greenlight and Validating Lightning Signer (VLS).
Routing nodes
Routing nodes are the backbone of lightning. They serve as hubs that route payments between users. They have regular uptime, large amounts of liquidity, usually run on dedicated hardware, and are well connected with other lightning nodes.
In many cases, these node operators aim to profit by taking fees for routing payments or leasing their liquidity out to other users.
Merchant nodes
Merchant nodes are primarily used for receiving lightning payments. Merchants run these so they can accept payments at their stores. These nodes need to be online regularly as they receive constant payments. Many merchants use dedicated hardware to run their merchant nodes.
Payment nodes
Payment nodes are used by end-users to send and receive lightning payments. These usually run on the users mobile as part of their lightning wallet and are only online when the app is open.
As they are not always online, they need to be periodically checked or use a watchtower to prevent theft from their payment channel counterparties.
Bitcoin nodes
Based on use case and context, bitcoin nodes can be behave differently. Some store and verify the complete bitcoin blockchain. Others are optimized for efficiency and usability, usually at the expense of some security and privacy.
Full nodes
A full node is bitcoin software that fully verifies and enforces the rules of the bitcoin network. An example of a rule is that there will never be more than 21 million bitcoin.
Archival
Archival full nodes verify and store the entire bitcoin blockchain locally. They also send historical data to other nodes. These are sometimes referred to as listening nodes.
Pruned
Pruned full nodes only store a portion of recent block data. The amount of recent block data that can be stored can be modified by users depending on their storage capacity.
Light nodes
A light node is bitcoin software that does not verify or enforce the rules of the bitcoin network. Light nodes trust third parties to receive block data.
Simplified payment verification (SPV)
SPV light nodes query and download block headers from full nodes, making it possible for users to verify transactions without running a full node.
For more information:
Neutrino
Neutrino light nodes use the Neutrino protocol, which uses compact block filters to query and download condensed representations of blocks that contain transaction data relevant to the user.
For more information:
Next, let’s learn about the different bitcoin payment request formats that exist.