Decentralization and Nodes in Distributed Systems

Decentralization is a system architecture characterized by multiple autonomous Nodes that can freely interconnect and form new connection units. In this structure, any Node has the potential to become a temporary center but lacks coercive control. The influence between Nodes generates nonlinear causal relationships through the network. This open, flat, and equal system structure is referred to as Decentralization.

Decentralization does not completely abandon the center, but rather allows nodes to autonomously choose and decide the center. In contrast to centralized systems, nodes in decentralized systems do not rely on a single center; any participant can be a node and may also become the center. However, this central role is temporary and not mandatory.

In the Bitcoin network, full Nodes play a key role. Full Nodes have a complete blockchain ledger, capable of independently verifying all transactions and updating data in real time. They are mainly responsible for broadcasting and verifying transactions. To become a Bitcoin full Node, you only need a regular computer and sufficient storage space (about 200GB) to run the Bitcoin client software. This allows ordinary users to personally participate in transaction verification and view the ledger without relying on intermediaries.

In order to lower the participation threshold, the Bitcoin Core client also provides a pruning node feature, allowing users to confirm transactions without storing the complete blockchain data.

The structure of Ethereum's nodes is more complex. Its full nodes are referred to as "archive nodes." Compared to Bitcoin, Ethereum not only stores transaction data but also contains a large amount of state data, which is due to its built-in Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) that provides smart contract functionality. Therefore, the data scale of Ethereum far exceeds that of Bitcoin, with the complete data of an Ethereum network being approximately 2TB, which is ten times that of Bitcoin.

This complexity puts greater storage pressure on Ethereum, but at the same time expands the application scope of blockchain technology, enabling it to not only transfer value but also execute complex computational tasks.