BSC Network Node Types Explained

In the BNB Smart Chain (BSC) network, different node types serve distinct roles and responsibilities. This guide explores their characteristics, differences, and configurations to help you choose the optimal node type for your needs.

Overview of Node Types

BSC primarily features three node types:

1. Validator Node

• Role: Participates in block validation and consensus.

• Key Features:

  • Fixed count: Only 21 validator slots.
  • Staking requirement: Minimum 10,000 BNB.
  • Rewards: Block rewards and transaction fees.
• Storage: Uses path scheme (default) for efficiency.

2. Full Node

• Role: Maintains full blockchain data.

• Key Features:

  • No staking requirements.
  • Supports state pruning.
  • Ideal for DApps, exchanges, and wallets.
• Storage: path scheme (optimized performance).

3. Archive Node

• Role: Stores complete historical state data.

• Key Features:

  • Requires hash scheme (full history access).
  • No pruning allowed.
  • Storage: Multi-TB capacity (NVMe SSDs recommended).

State Storage Schemes Compared

Configuration Recommendations

Validator Node

• Storage: path scheme.
• Hardware: High CPU/RAM, enterprise-grade SSD.

• Command Example:

  geth --syncmode full --state.scheme=path

Full Node

• Storage: path scheme.
• Hardware: Standard servers (16GB+ RAM, 1TB SSD).

• Command Example:

  geth --syncmode snap --state.scheme=path

Archive Node

• Storage: hash scheme.
• Hardware: High I/O capacity (NVMe SSDs, 32GB+ RAM).

• Command Example:

  geth --syncmode full --state.scheme=hash --gcmode=archive

FAQs

Q1: Can I switch from path to hash scheme later?

A: No—this requires resyncing the entire chain from scratch.

Q2: How often should validator nodes prune state?

A: Weekly pruning balances performance and storage efficiency.

Q3: What’s the minimum storage for an archive node?

A: 5TB+, growing with chain activity.

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Conclusion

• Most users: Full nodes (path scheme) suffice.
• Developers: Archive nodes (hash scheme) enable historical queries.
• Validators: Prioritize uptime and staking compliance.

Choose based on your technical resources and data needs. For further tuning, consult BSC’s official documentation.