A node, in the context of telecommunications networks and computer networks, is a point of intersection or connection within a data communication network, which can be either a redistribution point or a communication endpoint
. The definition of a node depends on the network and protocol layer referred to
. Key characteristics of nodes include:
- Function : Nodes send, receive, store, or create information, and transmit data to communicate with other nodes in the network
- Devices : Nodes can be physical network devices, such as modems, PCs, and printers, or computers providing network services
- IP Address : In a computer network, nodes have a unique IP address, which is used for identification and access control
- Network Topologies : Nodes can be categorized by how they are arranged in a physical computer network, such as star, ring, or tree topologies
- Internet Nodes : In the context of crypto and blockchain, nodes are computers that run the blockchain's software to validate and store the complete history of transactions
In summary, a node is a device or data point in a larger network that plays a part in communication, data processing, and network services.
