diff --git a/public/content/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/node-architecture/index.md b/public/content/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/node-architecture/index.md index 735122919ff..f699b3a0dc7 100644 --- a/public/content/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/node-architecture/index.md +++ b/public/content/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/node-architecture/index.md @@ -4,21 +4,23 @@ description: Introduction to how Ethereum nodes are organized. lang: en --- -An Ethereum node is composed of two clients: an [execution client](/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/#execution-clients) and a [consensus client](/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/#consensus-clients). +An Ethereum node is composed of a minimum of two clients: an [execution client](/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/#execution-clients) and a [consensus client](/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/#consensus-clients). For a node to propose a new block, it must also run a [validator client](#validators) and stake ETH. -When Ethereum was using [proof-of-work](/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pow/), an execution client was enough to run a full Ethereum node. However, since implementing [proof-of-stake](/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pow/), the execution client needs to be used alongside another piece of software called a [“consensus client”](/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/#consensus-clients). +When Ethereum was using [Proof of Work](/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pow/), an execution client was enough to run a full Ethereum node. However, since implementing [Proof of Stake](/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pow/), the execution client must be used alongside another piece of software called a [consensus client](/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/#consensus-clients). The diagram below shows the relationship between the two Ethereum clients. The two clients connect to their own respective peer-to-peer (P2P) networks. Separate P2P networks are needed as the execution clients gossip transactions over their P2P network, enabling them to manage their local transaction pool, whilst the consensus clients gossip blocks over their P2P network, enabling consensus and chain growth. -![](node-architecture-text-background.png) +![](node-architecture.png) -_This image is borrowed from geth.ethereum.org and uses the Geth logo to represent execution clients - there are other options for the execution client including Erigon, Nethermind and Besu_ +_This image is borrowed from geth.ethereum.org and uses the Geth logo to represent execution clients - there are other options for the execution client including Erigon, Nethermind, and Besu_. -For this two-client structure to work, consensus clients must be able to pass bundles of transactions to the execution client. Executing the transactions locally is how the client validates that the transactions do not violate any Ethereum rules and that the proposed update to Ethereum’s state is correct. Likewise, when the node is selected to be a block producer the consensus client must be able to request bundles of transactions from Geth to include in the new block and execute them to update the global state. This inter-client communication is handled by a local RPC connection using the [engine API](https://github.com/ethereum/execution-apis/blob/main/src/engine/common.md). +For this two-client structure to work, consensus clients must pass bundles of transactions to the execution client. + +The execution client executes the transactions locally to validate that the transactions do not violate any Ethereum rules and that the proposed update to Ethereum’s state is correct. When a node is selected to be a block producer its consensus client instance requests bundles of transactions from the execution client to include in the new block and execute them to update the global state.The consensus client drives the execution client via a local RPC connection using the [Engine API](https://github.com/ethereum/execution-apis/blob/main/src/engine/common.md). ## What does the execution client do? {#execution-client} -The execution client is responsible for transaction handling, transaction gossip, state management and supporting the Ethereum Virtual Machine ([EVM](/developers/docs/evm/)). However, it is **not** responsible for block building, block gossiping or handling consensus logic. These are in the remit of the consensus client. +The execution client is responsible for transaction validation, handling, and gossip; state management; and supporting the Ethereum Virtual Machine ([EVM](/developers/docs/evm/)). It is **not** responsible for block building, block gossiping or handling consensus logic. These are in the remit of the consensus client. The execution client creates execution payloads - the list of transactions, updated state trie, and other execution-related data. Consensus clients include the execution payload in every block. The execution client is also responsible for re-executing transactions in new blocks to ensure they are valid. Executing transactions is done on the execution client's embedded computer, known as the [Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)](/developers/docs/evm). @@ -37,7 +39,7 @@ The consensus client does not participate in attesting to or proposing blocks - ## Validators {#validators} -Node operators can add a validator to their consensus clients by depositing 32 ETH in the deposit contract. The validator client comes bundled with the consensus client and can be added to a node at any time. The validator handles attestations and block proposals. They enable a node to accrue rewards or lose ETH via penalties or slashing. Running the validator software also makes a node eligible to be selected to propose a new block. +Staking and running the validator software makes a node eligible to be selected to propose a new block. Node operators can add a validator to their consensus clients by depositing 32 ETH in the deposit contract. The validator client comes bundled with the consensus client and can be added to a node at any time. The validator handles attestations and block proposals. It also enables a node to accrue rewards or lose ETH via penalties or slashing. [More on staking](/staking/). @@ -45,7 +47,7 @@ Node operators can add a validator to their consensus clients by depositing 32 E | Execution Client | Consensus Client | Validator | | -------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------- | -| Gossips transactions over its p2p network | Gossips blocks and attestations over its p2p network | Proposes blocks | +| Gossips transactions over its P2P network | Gossips blocks and attestations over its P2P network | Proposes blocks | | Executes/re-executes transactions | Runs the fork choice algorithm | Accrues rewards/penalties | | Verifies incoming state changes | Keeps track of the head of the chain | Makes attestations | | Manages state and receipts tries | Manages the Beacon state (contains consensus and execution info) | Requires 32 ETH to be staked | @@ -56,4 +58,4 @@ Node operators can add a validator to their consensus clients by depositing 32 E - [Proof-of-stake](/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pos) - [Block proposal](/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pos/block-proposal) -- [Validator rewards and penalties](/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pos/rewards-and-penalties) +- [Validator rewards and penalties](/developers/docs/consensus-mechanisms/pos/rewards-and-penalties) \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/public/content/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/node-architecture/node_architecture.png b/public/content/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/node-architecture/node_architecture.png index 1cca4fb43f5..7c8e9889883 100644 Binary files a/public/content/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/node-architecture/node_architecture.png and b/public/content/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/node-architecture/node_architecture.png differ