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Node Classes

Nodes are classified into different classes based on the resources they can provide to the network: CPU, GPU, and storage. Based on the hardware specifications of the machine you run, nodes are further classified into different types:

  • Lite nodes: These nodes run on low-end machines with limited resources like laptops or desktop computers. They are suitable for running small workloads.
  • Virtual nodes: These nodes run on virtual machines provided by other cloud providers. They are more reliable than lite nodes and can provide more resources, reliability and availability.
  • Bare-metal nodes: These nodes run on physical machines that you own or rent from a cloud provider. They provide more performance compared to virtual nodes and are suitable for running high-performance workloads.
  • Datacenter nodes: These are bare-metal nodes operated by data centers that provide an increased level of security and reliability and are suitable for running mission-critical workloads.

Nodes are also classified based on the network connection they have:

  • Public nodes: These nodes have a public IP address and can be accessed from the internet, allowing faster routing for north-south traffic.
  • Private nodes: These nodes have a private IP address and can only be accessed from the internal network, providing an additional layer of security, but lower bandwidth for north-south traffic.

Compute nodes​

These nodes can provide CPU, GPU and RAM resources to the network. Based on the type of machine you run, you can provide different levels of compute resources:

  • CPU nodes: These nodes can provide CPU and RAM resources to the network. They
  • GPU nodes: These nodes can provide GPU resources to the network. GPU nodes are also CPU nodes.

Compute nodes are also classified based on the CPU/GPU features they support:

  • CPU Brand: Intel / AMD
  • CPU Features: AVX, AVX2, AVX512 etc.
  • Virtualization extensions: Intel VT-x, AMD-V etc.
  • Confidential Computing: SGX, TPM, AMD SEV etc.
  • GPU Brand: Nvidia, AMD, Intel etc.

All compute nodes are suitable for running containerized workloads and virtual machines.

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If your CPU does not support virtualization extensions, Virtual Machines will in emulated mode which will be slower.

Storage nodes (planned)​

These nodes can provide storage resources to the network. Based on the type of machine you run, you can provide different levels of storage resources:

  • SSD nodes: These nodes can provide SSD storage resources to the network.
  • HDD nodes: These nodes can provide HDD storage resources to the network.
  • NVMe nodes: These nodes can provide NVMe storage resources to the network.