Difference between revisions of "The Bitcoin Network"
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| − | The | + | The Bitcoin network is a made up of one (and only one) type of node that is defined in section 5 of the white paper. These nodes are often referred to as miners and are characterised by an ability to produce valid blocks, distribute them to their peers (other nodes), and validate blocks they receive. Nodes are responsible for upholding the consensus mechanism of the system based on block publication and proof-of-work. There is no other definition of a node in the Bitcoin network. |
* A node constructs, distributes and validates blocks | * A node constructs, distributes and validates blocks | ||
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Old nodes may drop off the network and new nodes may join at any time. There is no hierarchy in the process of block distribution or validation, making the network truly peer-to-peer. Nodes are incentivised to maintain a high degree of connectivity with other nodes. This means that the network topology is that of a nearly complete graph. At any one time there are typically less than ten nodes that publish the majority of blocks. | Old nodes may drop off the network and new nodes may join at any time. There is no hierarchy in the process of block distribution or validation, making the network truly peer-to-peer. Nodes are incentivised to maintain a high degree of connectivity with other nodes. This means that the network topology is that of a nearly complete graph. At any one time there are typically less than ten nodes that publish the majority of blocks. | ||
| − | Bitcoin nodes also validate and propagate transactions. Transactions enter the network through users of the system. The users themselves are outside the | + | <div class="img-responsive"> |
| + | [[File:nearly_complete_graph.png|centre|alt=In a nearly complete graph, each node is either directly connected to or a very small number of hops away from every other node]] | ||
| + | </div> | ||
| + | |||
| + | Bitcoin nodes also validate and propagate transactions. Transactions enter the network through users of the system. The users themselves are outside the Bitcoin network and interact with one or more Bitcoin nodes through client software. | ||
* A user interacts with nodes through client software | * A user interacts with nodes through client software | ||
| − | An example of a user may be a service provider, storage entity, propagation entity, autonomous agent (smart contract), or a wallet belonging to a person or business. Note that the users do not play a role in the production, distribution or validation of blocks on the | + | An example of a user may be a service provider, storage entity, propagation entity, autonomous agent (smart contract), or a wallet belonging to a person or business. Note that the users do not play a role in the production, distribution or validation of blocks on the Bitcoin network. Therefore, they are not involved in the consensus process. |
| − | The direct connection between users for the purpose of sending a transaction does not necessarily mean that they are part of any network. However, there may exist complex user networks that are separate to the | + | The direct connection between users for the purpose of sending a transaction does not necessarily mean that they are part of any network. However, there may exist complex user networks that are separate to the Bitcoin network. A user may be a node on their own network whilst being a client on the Bitcoin network. Such networks may be thought of as being overlaid on top of the Bitcoin network. User networks may be peer-to-peer or hierarchical in structure, for example service providers and consumers. These user networks may be layered on top of one-another in such a way that they form a [[Bitcoin Layered Networks|Bitcoin-Layered Network]]. |
| − | There is no requirement for a | + | There is no requirement for a Bitcoin node to be made up of a single machine. A node may be made up of several different linked systems including routing, database and processing modules. However, there is no such thing as an archival or transaction propagation node on the Bitcoin network. |
Revision as of 23:32, 5 May 2020
The Bitcoin network is a made up of one (and only one) type of node that is defined in section 5 of the white paper. These nodes are often referred to as miners and are characterised by an ability to produce valid blocks, distribute them to their peers (other nodes), and validate blocks they receive. Nodes are responsible for upholding the consensus mechanism of the system based on block publication and proof-of-work. There is no other definition of a node in the Bitcoin network.
- A node constructs, distributes and validates blocks
Old nodes may drop off the network and new nodes may join at any time. There is no hierarchy in the process of block distribution or validation, making the network truly peer-to-peer. Nodes are incentivised to maintain a high degree of connectivity with other nodes. This means that the network topology is that of a nearly complete graph. At any one time there are typically less than ten nodes that publish the majority of blocks.
Bitcoin nodes also validate and propagate transactions. Transactions enter the network through users of the system. The users themselves are outside the Bitcoin network and interact with one or more Bitcoin nodes through client software.
- A user interacts with nodes through client software
An example of a user may be a service provider, storage entity, propagation entity, autonomous agent (smart contract), or a wallet belonging to a person or business. Note that the users do not play a role in the production, distribution or validation of blocks on the Bitcoin network. Therefore, they are not involved in the consensus process.
The direct connection between users for the purpose of sending a transaction does not necessarily mean that they are part of any network. However, there may exist complex user networks that are separate to the Bitcoin network. A user may be a node on their own network whilst being a client on the Bitcoin network. Such networks may be thought of as being overlaid on top of the Bitcoin network. User networks may be peer-to-peer or hierarchical in structure, for example service providers and consumers. These user networks may be layered on top of one-another in such a way that they form a Bitcoin-Layered Network.
There is no requirement for a Bitcoin node to be made up of a single machine. A node may be made up of several different linked systems including routing, database and processing modules. However, there is no such thing as an archival or transaction propagation node on the Bitcoin network.