Lestian

Lestian is a protocol that enables anyone to easily run a light node.

The mission is to proliferate light nodes to increase network health and make blockchain more accessible for everyday users.

Light Nodes

1. The Role and Functionality of Nodes in Blockchain

• Full Nodes: Full nodes are the backbone of a blockchain network. They maintain a complete copy of the ledger, validate transactions, and participate in the consensus process. By doing so, they contribute significantly to the network's security and integrity.

• Light Nodes: Light nodes, on the other hand, do not maintain a complete copy of the blockchain. They rely on full nodes for information and verification of transactions. This limited functionality means they play a less critical role in maintaining the network's security and integrity.

2. Resource Investment and Network Contribution

• Resource Commitment: Full nodes require significant resources in terms of storage, processing power, and network bandwidth. Operating a full node often involves substantial hardware and energy costs.

• Light Nodes' Limited Investment: Light nodes, conversely, require minimal resources. They are designed to be lightweight and accessible, even on devices with limited capabilities like smartphones.

3. Security and Trust in the Network

• Ensuring Network Security: Full nodes help secure the network by independently verifying transactions and blocks. This decentralized verification process is crucial to maintaining the blockchain's trust and security.

• Dependence of Light Nodes: Light nodes depend on full nodes for transaction verification and blockchain information. This dependency means light nodes do not directly contribute to the network's trust model in the same way full nodes do.

4. Network Efficiency and Scalability

• Scalability Concerns: If light nodes were to receive protocol emissions, it could lead to an inefficient system. An influx of light nodes, attracted by the rewards but not contributing significantly to network security, could lead to scalability issues.

• Focus on Essential Contributors: By limiting rewards to full nodes, the network ensures that those who are investing resources and contributing to its security and efficiency are properly incentivized.

5. The Philosophy of Decentralization

• Upholding Decentralization: In the spirit of decentralization, blockchain networks aim to reward those who contribute to the distributed and trustless nature of the system. Full nodes embody this principle by their significant role in decentralization.