Light Node

Light node is a type of blockchain node designed to operate without storing and processing the full blockchain history locally.

Depending on the protocol, a light node may store block headers, use inclusion proofs, or request additional information from full nodes. SPV is a well-known example of a lightweight verification approach in Bitcoin-like systems.

Advantages and limitations

The main advantage is lower demand for disk storage, computing resources, and synchronization. This makes lightweight designs suitable for mobile devices and resource-constrained environments.

The trade-off is that the node may perform less independent validation than a full node. Its security properties depend on the specific protocol, implementation, proof system, and interaction with other network participants.