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48 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
48 lines
2.3 KiB
Markdown
---
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summary: 'A device on the Internet running the Monero software, with a full copy of the Monero blockchain. It can be local or remote'
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terms: ["node", "nodes", "full-node", "full-nodes"]
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---
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{% include disclaimer.html translated="no" translationOutdated="no" %}
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### The Basics
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A device on the Internet running the Monero software, with a full copy of
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the Monero blockchain, actively assisting the Monero network. A node that is
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not running on your local machine is called @remote-node. Remote nodes can
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be private, if they are for personal use only, or open, if they are
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accessible by other people.
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### More Information
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Nodes participate in the Monero network and secure @transactions by
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enforcing the rules of the network. Nodes download the entire @blockchain to
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know what transactions have taken place. Nodes assist the network by
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relaying transactions to other nodes on the network. Nodes may also choose
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to contribute to the Monero network by participating in crafting @blocks
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(this is called @mining).
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Mining is the process by which nodes create a block from the previously
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accepted block, transactions that are waiting to be processed in the
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transaction pool, and the @coinbase-transaction. When a node believes it has
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crafted a valid block it will transmit the completed block to other nodes on
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the network and those nodes signal agreement by working on the next block in
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the chain.
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The rules that nodes follow are built into the Monero software; When all
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nodes agree about the rules to follow this is called @consensus. Consensus
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is necessary for a cryptocurrency because it is how the blockchain is built;
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If nodes don't agree about which blocks are valid, for example people who
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have not updated their Monero software, those nodes that don't agree will no
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longer be able to participate in the Monero network.
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The Monero Core Team plans for a network upgrade roughly every 6 months. At
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that time, if you are running a node it must be updated to the most recent
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version of the Monero software or it will no longer be able to participate
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in the network.
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---
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##### Other Resources
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<sub>1. *Fluffypony gives a great explanation of why mandatory network upgrades are good for Monero.* ([Monero Missives for the Week of 2016-06-20]({{ site.baseurl_root }}/2016/06/20/monero-missive-for-the-week-of-2016-06-20.html))</sub>
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