Participation nodes are present in the Algorand platform to help in conducting the Pure Proof of Stake (PPoS) consensus process.
The
definition of nodes changes from application to application depending on the purpose provided. In the context of a blockchain network,
nodes are electrical devices that are linked to the network and have an
IP address. In general,
nodes serve as communication endpoints, which implies that any user or program wishing to connect with the blockchain must do so via nodes. As a result, nodes serve as a point of communication redistribution.
Because there is no central authority controlling who has access to a decentralized ledger: anybody may run a node. Most public
blockchains strive to be dynamic and
decentralized, with people coming and departing and nodes going down and up on a regular basis. Furthermore,
certain blockchains may allow nodes to run while not participating in consensus. This happens in some
Delegated Proof-of-Stake (
dPoS) blockchains, where stakeholders vote on who gets to be a
validator and create a block. However, not everyone has the time, knowledge, or competence to manage a node.
There are two kinds of nodes in Algorand: relay nodes and
participation nodes. In Algorand, relay nodes act as network hubs, transmitting protocol messages between participating nodes in a timely and efficient manner. Participation nodes, one of the most powerful nodes in
Algorand, help Alog’s consensus process by introducing and validating new blocks.
Participation keys are used to sign consensus protocol communications and are stored on participation nodes.
Participation nodes use the Algorand
consensus mechanism to connect with one another via relay nodes. To become a participation node, each network participant must stake ALGO and generate a valid participation key.
Algorand's PPoS consensus method employs a two-phase block creation procedure that includes proposing and voting. Participation nodes are coordinated by relay nodes, which allow communication across them but do not directly engage in proposing and voting processes.