Node

From lightningwiki.net
(Redirected from Lightning nodes)
Jump to navigation Jump to search

A node is a machine in the Network. It processes (routes) payments. It needs to be managed.

Existing nodes

The big list!

Node roles

A node can be any of below roles at different times.

  • Origin node: Where a payment comes from
  • Hop: A node helping in processing a payment
  • Final node: The receiving node of a transaction
  • Peer: The Network consists of peers. Peers are two nodes communicating with each other.

Functionality

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Please help by adding more information. Suggestion:
Add description of node functionality

Features

Error creating thumbnail: File missing
Please help by adding more information. Suggestion:
Add description of node features

Setting up a node

See Setting up a Lightning node.

Dangers and Risks

  • The risk of running a Lightning node is that private keys are online hence the node can be attacked and the keys and their corresponding funds stolen. The private keys need to be online because the node needs to use them frequently to sign payment invoices.
  • Denial-of-Service Attacks: a bot-network of computers controlled by a hacker could overload the Lightning Network node and effectively make it inoperable for a period of time.

Benefits and Rewards

Nodes help in routing. The more nodes there are the better and faster routing will work. So, there is a benefit to the network and to the common good. Nodes hold funds so they increase the liquidity of the system. With higher liquidity higher amounts of funds can be sent through the Lightning network.

Nodes can also charge fees for routing and hence earn money. See also Making money using Lightning.