A witness node produces blocks for the chain and ensures everyone is running the same code. It requires votes by community members to rise up the ranks to increase how many blocks you are able to produce.
An RPC node helps make the network more resilient by offering additional nodes that apps can access when interacting with the chain.
I mean, I could probably run one of each. Is there investment for the witness one? Do you have to have a certain amount of HIVE?
There is a certain level of hardware required. No Hive is required but you do require a lot of votes by the community.
Yeah, I figured that would be the case. Does the number of votes decide how much you are "allowed" to do? Or do you "prove" yourself by finding blocks or whatever, then get the votes? Do you understand what I am saying? Like which comes first, the hardware and speed, or the votes?
Number of votes decides how far up on the witness list you are. The further up, the more often you create blocks.
You can see the witness list here:
https://peakd.com/me/witnesses
People will vote witnesses they believe do a good job protecting the blockchain and have their best interests at heart.
Very cool! Thank you for the input! So someone that is invested across the platform and staked in everything he can would have a decent chance or no? Would it take years to get anywhere? I know there is a benefit to being a witness, but is there any benefit to running the RPC node other than helping the community in general? If you are far down the Witness chain, are those the guys that have not found blocks in years? I mean, that is a longgggggg time. Or are they people that stopped doing it?
There is no momentary benefit to running an RPC node.
The ones one the bottom of the witness lists are disabled so they are no longer an active witness.
Ok cool, so if I stay active in the community and keep my node running smooth, then I am good for the most part? I mean, obviously, there are many that have been here a long time, and I am no tech guru, but I do have hardware and a connection and time...