What are node counts in cryptocurrency?

In the world of digital currency, a node is referred to as a computer that connects to a Cryptocurrency network. The node or computer supports the network through validation and relaying the transactions. Moreover, it also gets a copy of the full blockchain. For example, any computer that connects to the Bitcoin network is a node. There are different categories of nodes.

Full nodes- This criterion strictly enforces all the Bitcoin rules. Full nodes download every block and transaction and keep a regular check on them against Bitcoin's consensus rules. Every old and new transactions and all block headers that has ever happened is downloaded by a full node. Additionally, here all the information about every unspent transaction output, until it is spent, is easily stored and tracked. Full nodes, by default nature, are not sufficiently advanced, due to which all new transactions are downloaded at least twice.

Lightweight nodes- On the other hand, it provides ease of use. A light Node downloads the block headers with an only mission to validate the authenticity of the transactions and does not download the complete blockchain. Lightweight nodes use a method called Simplified Pауmеnt Vеrifiсаtiоn (SPV) to verify the transactions. Full nodes serve the Lightweight nodes to connect to the Bitcoin network which makes it very dependent on the full nodes for its effective functionality. But the users must be aware of all the downsides that Lightweight node wallets have and these downsides can all be avoided by configuring a lightweight node wallet to connect only to your full node.

Globally, all blockchain nodes are divided into 2 major categories:

Ordinary nodes- Ordinary nodes are well known as the backbone of any digital currency or CryptoCurrency. The blockchain network is secured and double-spending is easily prevented by the Ordinary nodes. Funds can be instantly and privately sent and the entire blockchain can be stored for which these nodes even receive block rewards. Ordinary nodes act as the miners in the PoW consensus model and as the staking wallets in the PoS consensus model.

Master nodes- These are other full nodes enabling the operators to perform the advanced functions which are important to run a blockchain. These servers can be found on decentralized networks and simply are very different from the ordinary nodes due to their unique functionalities like holding private transactions and directly and instantly sending the funds.

Master nodes are different from crypto mining, but with a connection as the node, operators receive rewards as mentioned earlier from every solved block.