---
# System prepended metadata

title: Nodes and Clients Are a Mirror of How Humans Coordinate
tags: [node, validators, lighthouse, infrastructure, ethereum, client, geth]

---

---
title: "Nodes and Clients Are a Mirror of How Humans Coordinate"
description: "Understanding the difference between nodes and clients in Ethereum - what they are, how they work together, and which software you should actually run"
tags:
  - ethereum
  - node
  - client
  - geth
  - lighthouse
  - infrastructure
  - validators
---

# Nodes and Clients Are a Mirror of How Humans Coordinate

## Abstract

The terms "node" and "client" are used interchangeably in the Ethereum community, creating massive confusion for newcomers and even experienced developers. 

A "node" is not software, it's a running instance of the network. "Clients" are the actual software programs (Geth, Nethermind, Lighthouse, Prysm) that connect your computer to the network. 

This article clears up the confusion by explaining what nodes and clients actually are, how execution clients differ from consensus clients, why you need both post-Merge, which combinations work best (Geth+Lighthouse, Reth+Prysm, etc.), and how real projects like Infura, Alchemy, Coinbase, and solo stakers run infrastructure. Through simple analogies and real examples, you'll finally understand the architecture everyone assumes you already know.

:::info
**What you'll learn:**
- Node vs Client (they're NOT the same!)
- Execution vs Consensus clients
- Why you need BOTH after The Merge
- Popular client combinations
- How Infura, Alchemy run infrastructure
- Hardware requirements for running nodes
- Which clients projects actually use
:::

---

## Introduction: The Terminology Trainwreck

I was on a Discord call with some Ethereum developers.

Someone said: "I'm running a node."

Me: "Cool! Which client?"

Them: "What do you mean? I said I'm running a node."

Me: "Yeah, but which client software?"

Them: "The node IS the software."

Me: "No, the client is the software. The node is—"

Them: "Node, client, same thing."

**Me: "...are they though?"**

This conversation happens ALL THE TIME. 😅

Even experienced devs mix these up. Documentation uses them interchangeably. Tutorials confuse everyone.

So let me clear this up once and for all:

:::info
**Key takeaway:**
- A **Node** is *not* software  
- A **Client** *is* software  
- You run a **Node** by using a **Client**
:::

Still confused? Don't worry. By the end of this article, you'll understand:
- What a node actually is
- What a client actually is  
- Why we have TWO types of clients now
- Which software combinations work
- How real companies run infrastructure

Let's fix this confusion! 

---

## What Is a Node? (Not What You Think)

In simple terms, A node is **a computer participating in the Ethereum network**.

:::info
**The key insight:**
- **Node** → a running instance of the network
- **Client** → software that connects to and runs that instance

Think of it like:
- Email **server** (node) vs Outlook **software** (client)
- Web **server** (node) vs Browser **software** (client)
- Bitcoin **full node** (node) vs Bitcoin Core **software** (client)

The **node** is the thing running.  
The **client** is the software that makes it run.
:::

:::info
**The Coffee Shop Analogy:**

Think of the Ethereum network as a **city full of coffee shops**.

- **Each coffee shop = one NODE**
  - A physical place
  - Serves customers (processes transactions)
  - Talks to other shops (gossip protocol)
  - Part of the same city (network)

- **The employees = CLIENT software**
  - Geth employees (Go)
  - Reth employees (Rust)
  - Nethermind employees (C#)
  - Different implementations, same job

Your laptop running **Geth** = your coffee shop staffed by Geth employees  
My server running **Reth** = my coffee shop staffed by Reth employees  

All coffee shops working together = **the Ethereum network**
:::


**What a node does:**

An Ethereum node is a running participant in the network that stores the blockchain, validates transactions, executes smart contracts, gossips with other nodes, participates in consensus, and serves data to users. 

Your laptop becomes a node the moment you install client software like Geth or Reth, start it running, connect it to other nodes, and allow it to sync the blockchain. At that point, the machine itself is the node — Geth or Reth is simply the client software making it all work.

---

## What Is a Client? (The Actual Software) 

In simple terms, A client is **software that implements the Ethereum protocol**.

**Think of it like web browsers:**

:::info
The Ethereum network is like the web.  
Clients are like browsers.

- **Chrome → Geth**
  - Written in: Go
  - Built by: Ethereum Foundation
  - Job: Execute and verify Ethereum blocks

- **Firefox → Nethermind**
  - Written in: C#
  - Built by: Nethermind
  - Job: Execute and verify Ethereum blocks

- **Safari → Besu**
  - Written in: Java
  - Built by: Hyperledger
  - Job: Execute and verify Ethereum blocks

Different software.  
Same protocol.  
Same network.
:::

**Ethereum clients:**
```yaml
Execution Clients (for transactions):
  Geth:
    Language: Go
    Team: Ethereum Foundation
    Market share: ~40%
    
  Reth:
    Language: Rust
    Team: Paradigm
    Market share: ~15%
    
  Nethermind:
    Language: C#
    Team: Nethermind
    Market share: ~20%
    
  Besu:
    Language: Java
    Team: Hyperledger
    Market share: ~10%
    
  Erigon:
    Language: Go
    Team: Erigon Team
    Market share: ~10%

Consensus Clients (for proof-of-stake):
  Lighthouse:
    Language: Rust
    Team: Sigma Prime
    Market share: ~35%
    
  Prysm:
    Language: Go
    Team: Prysmatic Labs
    Market share: ~30%
    
  Teku:
    Language: Java
    Team: ConsenSys
    Market share: ~15%
    
  Nimbus:
    Language: Nim
    Team: Status
    Market share: ~10%
    
  Lodestar:
    Language: TypeScript
    Team: ChainSafe
    Market share: ~5%
```

**Why multiple clients?**

Client diversity prevents catastrophic failure:

```yaml
Scenario: Bug in Geth
  If 100% use Geth: Network HALTS 
  If 40% use Geth: Those nodes stop, others continue 
  
Real example - 2021 Geth bug:
  - Bug caused Geth nodes to crash
  - But only 70% were Geth
  - 30% (Nethermind, Besu, etc.) kept network alive
  - Network continued! Crisis averted!
```
Client diversity = Network resilience

---

## The Two-Client Architecture (Post-Merge) 

After The Merge (September 2022), Ethereum split into TWO layers:

**Before The Merge:**

In the early days of Ethereum, a single client did everything. Geth handled transactions, executed smart contracts, mined blocks under Proof of Work, and validated the chain all within one program. This made the system simple to understand and easy to run, but it was also inflexible, tightly coupled, and harder to evolve as the network grew.


**After The Merge:**
```
Now you need TWO clients:

[Execution Client]       [Consensus Client]
(Geth, Reth, etc.)      (Lighthouse, Prysm, etc.)
        ↕                         ↕
  Handles transactions      Handles validators
  Executes contracts        Manages consensus
  Updates state             Proposes blocks
                    ↕
              Engine API
              (They talk!)
```

**The Restaurant Analogy: Why Execution & Consensus Clients Exist**

:::info
**Before (One Person):**  
The chef does EVERYTHING:
- Takes orders  
- Cooks food  
- Manages the restaurant  
- Cleans  
- 😰 Too much work!

**After (Two People):**
- **Chef → Execution Client**
  - Only cooks food  
  - Executes orders  
  - Super focused!  

- **Manager → Consensus Client**
  - Takes orders  
  - Coordinates everything  
  - Manages schedule  
  - Super focused!  

**How they interact:**  
- Manager → Chef: "Cook this order!"  
- Chef → Manager: "Done! Here's the food!"  

**Key takeaway:** Specialization = better performance!
:::

---

## Execution Clients: What They Do 

**Role:**
Handle all transaction execution and smart contracts.

**Responsibilities:**
```yaml
1. Transaction Pool (Mempool):
   - Receive transactions from users
   - Validate signatures
   - Check gas fees
   - Store in mempool

2. Execute Transactions:
   - Run EVM bytecode
   - Update account balances
   - Execute smart contracts
   - Calculate state changes

3. State Management:
   - Store the state trie
   - Track all accounts
   - Manage storage
   - Handle historical data

4. Serve Data:
   - RPC endpoints (JSON-RPC)
   - eth_call, eth_getBalance, etc.
   - Return blockchain data
   - Support dApps and tools
```

**When you interact with Ethereum:**
```javascript
// Your dApp calls:
const balance = await provider.getBalance(address);

// This goes to:
Execution Client (Geth, Reth, etc.)
    ↓
Looks up in state trie
    ↓
Returns balance

The execution client handles ALL user queries!
```

---

## Consensus Clients: What They Do 

**Role:**
Handle proof-of-stake consensus and validators.

**Responsibilities:**
1. Validator Management:
   - Track all validators
   - Monitor validator balances
   - Handle deposits/withdrawals
   - Manage validator keys

2. Block Proposals:
   - Decide who proposes next block
   - Select block from builders
   - Sign and broadcast
   - Coordinate with execution client

3. Attestations:
   - Validators vote on blocks
   - Collect attestations
   - Verify 2/3+ consensus
   - Achieve finality

4. Beacon Chain:
   - Maintain consensus layer
   - Track epochs and slots
   - Manage finality
   - Coordinate network

**The Block Proposal Flow:**

```
Every 12 seconds:

Consensus Client:
1. "It's my turn to propose!"
2. Asks Execution Client: "Build me a block"
3. Execution Client: Builds block with transactions
4. Consensus Client: Gets block, signs it
5. Broadcasts to network

Other Consensus Clients:
1. Receive block proposal
2. Send to their Execution Client: "Validate this"
3. Execution Client: Validates transactions
4. Consensus Client: Attests if valid

If 2/3+ attest → Block accepted!
```
---

## Client Combinations: What Works Together

You need ONE execution + ONE consensus client. Here are popular combos:

### 1. **Geth + Lighthouse** (Most Popular)

Execution: Geth (Go)
Consensus: Lighthouse (Rust)

Market share: ~40% of validators

Why popular:
  - Geth is most mature EL
  - Lighthouse is very performant
  - Different languages (diversity!)
  - Both well-documented
  - Large communities

Good for:
  - Home stakers
  - First-time node operators
  - Solo validators

Setup:
  1. Download Geth
  2. Download Lighthouse
  3. Generate JWT secret
  4. Start both
  5. They auto-connect via Engine API - check my other article where I explain [Engine API](https://hackmd.io/@dicethedev/HkdQ4Nombl) 

---

### 2. **Reth + Prysm** (The Fast Combo)

Execution: Reth (Rust)
Consensus: Prysm (Go)

Market share: ~10% of validators

Why popular:
  - Reth is FAST (Rust performance!)
  - Prysm is battle-tested
  - Quick sync times
  - Good for large operators

Good for:
  - Professional operators
  - Large staking services
  - Performance-focused users

Advantage:
  - Reth syncs in hours vs days
  - Lower resource usage
  - Modern codebase

---

### 3. **Nethermind + Teku** (Enterprise Choice)

Execution: Nethermind (C#)
Consensus: Teku (Java)

Market share: ~15% of validators

Why popular:
  - Both enterprise-friendly
  - Strong commercial support
  - Good for institutions
  - .NET/Java ecosystems

Good for:
  - Enterprises
  - Corporate validators
  - .NET/Java developers

Advantage:
  - Commercial support available
  - Familiar tech stack
  - Strong compliance focus

---

### 4. **Besu + Nimbus** (The Light Combo)

Execution: Besu (Java)
Consensus: Nimbus (Nim)

Market share: ~5% of validators

Why popular:
  - Very light on resources
  - Nimbus runs on Raspberry Pi!
  - Low bandwidth
  - Good for home users

Good for:
  - Low-end hardware
  - Bandwidth-limited
  - Raspberry Pi validators

Advantage:
  - Can run on 4GB RAM
  - Low disk I/O
  - Minimal electricity

---

### 5. **Erigon + Lodestar** (The Minimalist)

Execution: Erigon (Go)
Consensus: Lodestar (TypeScript)

Market share: ~3% of validators

Why chosen:
  - Erigon has minimal disk usage
  - Lodestar great for JS devs
  - Good for archive nodes

Good for:
  - JavaScript developers
  - Archive node operators
  - Storage-optimized setups

Advantage:
  - Erigon stores state efficiently
  - Lodestar easy to contribute to
  - TypeScript = web dev friendly
---

## Real-World Node Operators 

Let's see how real projects run nodes:

### 1. [**Infura** (ConsenSys)](https://www.infura.io/)

**What they run:**

**Infrastructure:**
  - Thousands of nodes globally
  - Multiple data centers
  - High availability setup

**Execution Clients:**
  Primary: Nethermind (60%)
  Secondary: Besu (30%)
  Testing: Geth (10%)
  
**Consensus Clients:**
  Primary: Teku (70%)
  Secondary: Lighthouse (30%)

**Why this mix:**
  - Nethermind + Teku both ConsenSys
  - Enterprise support
  - C#/Java = internal expertise
  - Client diversity for resilience

**Regions:**
  - US East (Virginia)
  - US West (Oregon)
  - Europe (Frankfurt)
  - Asia Pacific (Singapore)

**Load balancing:**
  - 10,000+ requests per second
  - Auto-scaling
  - Geographic routing

**Why devs use Infura:**
```javascript
// Instead of running your own node:
const provider = new ethers.JsonRpcProvider(
  "https://mainnet.infura.io/v3/YOUR-KEY"
);

// Infura's nodes handle:
// - Syncing blockchain
// - Handling requests
// - Maintaining uptime
// - Scaling infrastructure

// You just call their endpoint!
```

---

### 2. [**Alchemy**](https://www.alchemy.com/)

**What they run:**

**Infrastructure:**
  - Proprietary "Supernode" architecture
  - Runs multiple clients
  - Automatic failover

**Execution Clients:**
  - Geth (primary)
  - Reth (secondary)
  - Nethermind (backup)

**Consensus Clients:**
  - Lighthouse (primary)
  - Prysm (secondary)

**Innovation:**
  - Custom caching layer
  - Enhanced reliability
  - Better error handling
  - Faster response times

**Unique features:**
  - Mempool watching
  - Webhook notifications
  - Debug trace APIs
  - NFT APIs


---

### 3. [**Coinbase** (For Exchange)](https://www.coinbase.com/exchange)

**What they run:**

Purpose: Support exchange operations

Execution Clients:
  - Multiple: Geth, Nethermind, Besu
  - Run in parallel for verification

Consensus Clients:
  - Multiple: Lighthouse, Prysm, Teku
  - Critical for deposits/withdrawals

Setup:
  - Minimum 3 nodes per network
  - Different client combinations
  - One must fully sync
  - Cross-validate results

Why multiple clients:
  - Verify deposit addresses
  - Confirm withdrawals
  - Prevent bugs affecting users
  - Regulatory compliance

---

### 4. [**Lido** (Staking Protocol)](https://lido.fi/)

**What they run:**

Validators: ~320,000 validators

Node Operators: ~30 professional operators

Each operator runs:
  - 100s-1000s of validators
  - Diverse client combinations
  - High availability setups

Typical setup per operator:
  Execution: Geth or Nethermind
  Consensus: Lighthouse or Prysm
  
  Hardware:
  - Powerful servers (32+ cores)
  - 64GB+ RAM
  - 4TB+ NVMe SSD
  - Redundant connections

Monitoring:
  - 24/7 monitoring
  - Alerts for missed attestations
  - Automatic failover
  - Performance dashboards
---

### 5. [**Rocket Pool** (Decentralized Staking)](https://rocketpool.net/)

**What operators run:**

Node operators: Individuals running 1-100 validators

Popular combinations:
  1. Geth + Lighthouse (40%)
  2. Reth + Prysm (20%)
  3. Nethermind + Teku (15%)
  4. Others (25%)

Smartnode software:
  - Manages both clients
  - Handles configuration
  - Monitors performance
  - Auto-updates

Typical home setup:
  Hardware: NUC or custom PC
  Execution: Geth
  Consensus: Lighthouse
  Storage: 2TB SSD
  RAM: 16GB
  Connection: 100Mbps+
  
---

### 6. [**Solo Stakers** (Individual Validators)](ethereum.org/en/staking/solo/)

**Popular setups:**

- Budget Setup (~$500):
  - Hardware: Raspberry Pi 4 (8GB)
  - Execution: Besu
  - Consensus: Nimbus
  - Storage: 2TB external SSD
  - Why: Minimal power, cheap

- Mid-Range Setup (~$800):
  - Hardware: Intel NUC
  - Execution: Geth
  - Consensus: Lighthouse
  - Storage: 2TB NVMe
  - RAM: 16GB
  - Why: Balance of cost & performance

- High-End Setup (~$1500):
  - Hardware: Custom build
  - Execution: Reth
  - Consensus: Prysm
  - Storage: 4TB NVMe
  - RAM: 32GB
  - CPU: 8+ cores
  - Why: Maximum performance

---

## Hardware Requirements

Different clients have different needs:

### Execution Clients
```yaml
Geth:
  RAM: 16GB minimum, 32GB recommended
  Storage: 1TB (growing ~500GB/year)
  CPU: 4+ cores
  Sync time: 12-24 hours (snap sync)
  Bandwidth: 10GB/day

Reth:
  RAM: 16GB minimum
  Storage: 800GB (more efficient)
  CPU: 4+ cores
  Sync time: 4-8 hours (fast!)
  Bandwidth: 8GB/day
  Notes: Fastest sync!

Nethermind:
  RAM: 16GB minimum
  Storage: 900GB
  CPU: 4+ cores
  Sync time: 8-16 hours
  Bandwidth: 10GB/day

Besu:
  RAM: 8GB minimum (light!)
  Storage: 1TB
  CPU: 4+ cores
  Sync time: 16-24 hours
  Bandwidth: 8GB/day

Erigon:
  RAM: 16GB minimum
  Storage: 600GB (smallest!)
  CPU: 8+ cores (needs more CPU)
  Sync time: 24-48 hours
  Bandwidth: 8GB/day
  Notes: Best for archive nodes
```

### Consensus Clients
```yaml
Lighthouse:
  RAM: 8GB minimum
  Storage: 200GB
  CPU: 2+ cores
  Notes: Very efficient

Prysm:
  RAM: 8GB minimum
  Storage: 200GB
  CPU: 2+ cores
  Notes: Reliable, well-tested

Teku:
  RAM: 8GB minimum
  Storage: 200GB
  CPU: 2+ cores
  Notes: Enterprise-friendly

Nimbus:
  RAM: 4GB minimum (lightest!)
  Storage: 100GB
  CPU: 2+ cores
  Notes: Runs on Raspberry Pi!

Lodestar:
  RAM: 8GB minimum
  Storage: 200GB
  CPU: 2+ cores
  Notes: JavaScript/TypeScript
```

---

## Setting Up Your Own Node 

**Basic setup (Geth + Lighthouse):**
```bash
# 1. Install Geth
wget https://gethstore.blob.core.windows.net/builds/geth-linux-amd64.tar.gz
tar xvf geth-linux-amd64.tar.gz
sudo cp geth /usr/local/bin/

# 2. Install Lighthouse
wget https://github.com/sigp/lighthouse/releases/download/latest/lighthouse-linux.tar.gz
tar xvf lighthouse-linux.tar.gz
sudo cp lighthouse /usr/local/bin/

# 3. Generate JWT secret (they use this to talk)
openssl rand -hex 32 > /tmp/jwtsecret

# 4. Start Geth (Execution Client)
geth \
  --http \
  --http.api eth,net,web3 \
  --authrpc.addr localhost \
  --authrpc.port 8551 \
  --authrpc.jwtsecret /tmp/jwtsecret

# 5. Start Lighthouse (Consensus Client)
lighthouse bn \
  --network mainnet \
  --execution-endpoint http://localhost:8551 \
  --execution-jwt /tmp/jwtsecret \
  --checkpoint-sync-url https://beaconstate.info

# They're now talking via Engine API!
# Your node is running! 
```

**What happens:**
```yaml
Step 1: Geth starts syncing
  - Downloads blockchain state
  - Builds state trie
  - Takes 12-24 hours

Step 2: Lighthouse starts syncing
  - Downloads beacon chain
  - Syncs validator data
  - Takes 1-2 hours (with checkpoint sync)

Step 3: They connect via Engine API
  - Geth exposes port 8551
  - Lighthouse connects to it
  - JWT secret authenticates
  - They start working together

Step 4: Your node is live!
  - Geth handles transactions
  - Lighthouse handles consensus
  - You're part of the network!
```

---

## Monitoring Your Node 

**What to watch:**
```yaml
Execution Client:
  - Sync status (is it syncing?)
  - Peer count (are you connected?)
  - Block height (are you up to date?)
  - Memory usage (below 32GB?)
  - Disk usage (enough space?)

Consensus Client:
  - Beacon sync (is it synced?)
  - Attestation rate (if validator)
  - Participation rate
  - Finality status
  - Peer count

Network:
  - Bandwidth usage (~10GB/day)
  - Connection stability
  - Firewall ports open
```

**Tools to use:**
```bash
# Geth monitoring
geth attach http://localhost:8545
> eth.syncing
> net.peerCount
> eth.blockNumber

# Lighthouse monitoring
lighthouse bn --http --http-address 127.0.0.1
curl http://localhost:5052/eth/v1/node/health

# System monitoring
htop  # CPU and RAM
df -h # Disk space
iftop # Network usage
```

---

## Client Diversity: Why It Matters 

**The 2016 Shanghai Attack:**
```yaml
What happened:
  1. Geth had a bug in gas calculation
  2. Attacker sent specially crafted transactions
  3. Geth nodes crashed
  4. Network slowed dramatically
  
Why it wasn't catastrophic:
  - Parity (old EL client) didn't have the bug
  - ~30% of nodes stayed online
  - Network continued (slowly)
  - Geth fixed bug and recovered

If 100% were Geth:
  - Entire network would have halted
  - No transactions possible
  - Total disaster

Client diversity saved Ethereum!
```

**The Merge Client Diversity:**
```yaml
Current distribution (2025):

Execution Layer:
  Geth: 40% ⚠️ (Too high!)
  Nethermind: 20%
  Reth: 15%
  Besu: 10%
  Erigon: 10%
  Others: 5%

Consensus Layer:
  Lighthouse: 35%
  Prysm: 30%
  Teku: 15%
  Nimbus: 10%
  Lodestar: 5%
  Others: 5%

Goal: No client >33%
Why: Need 2/3+ for consensus
If one client >33% has bug → can't finalize!
```

**How to help client diversity:**
```yaml
If you're running:
  Geth + Lighthouse → Consider switching Geth!
  Try: Reth + Lighthouse
  Or: Nethermind + Lighthouse
  
Popular minority clients:
  - Reth (fast and modern!)
  - Besu (light on resources)
  - Nimbus (runs on low-end hardware)
  
Every node running minority clients helps!
```

---

## Common Misconceptions

### Misconception 1: "I'm running a Geth"

**Wrong:** Geth is not a thing you run. Geth is software.

**Correct:** "I'm running a node using Geth client"
```
You don't say "I'm running a Chrome"
You say "I'm using Chrome browser"

Same with Ethereum:
Not: "I'm running a Geth"
Yes: "I'm running a node with Geth"
```

---

### Misconception 2: "Node and client are the same"

**Wrong:** They're different concepts.
```yaml
Node: The running instance
  - Your computer
  - Participating in network
  - Has IP address
  - Connects to peers

Client: The software
  - Geth, Reth, Lighthouse, etc.
  - Code you download
  - Runs on your node
  - Implements the protocol

Your node runs client software!
```

---

### Misconception 3: "I only need one client"

**Wrong:** After The Merge, you need TWO!
```yaml
Before September 2022:
  - One client was enough (Geth, Parity, etc.)

After September 2022:
  - One client not enough
  - Need execution client (Geth, Reth, etc.)
  - Need consensus client (Lighthouse, Prysm, etc.)
  
Both must run together via Engine API!
```

---

### Misconception 4: "Running a node = mining/validating"

**Wrong:** Running a node is different from validating.
```yaml
Running a full node:
  - Stores blockchain
  - Validates others' blocks
  - Doesn't propose blocks
  - No rewards
  - Anyone can do it!

Running a validator:
  - Requires 32 ETH staked
  - Proposes blocks
  - Gets rewards (~4% APR)
  - Requires validator keys
  - More responsibility

You can run a node without validating!
Many do it just to support the network.
```

---

## Key Takeaways 

Let me summarize nodes vs clients:

### The Definitions
```yaml
NODE:
  What: Running instance of the network
  Who: Your computer/server
  Does: Participates in Ethereum
  Is: The thing running
  
CLIENT:
  What: Software implementing protocol
  Who: Geth, Reth, Lighthouse, etc.
  Does: Makes your computer a node
  Is: The program you download
```

### The Architecture

Post-Merge (2022+):
  Need TWO clients:
  
  1. Execution Client:
     - Geth, Reth, Nethermind, Besu, Erigon
     - Handles transactions
     - Executes smart contracts
     - Manages state
  
  2. Consensus Client:
     - Lighthouse, Prysm, Teku, Nimbus, Lodestar
     - Handles validators
     - Proposes blocks
     - Achieves consensus
  
  They communicate via Engine API!

### Popular Combinations
```yaml
Most popular:
  1. Geth + Lighthouse (40%)
  2. Nethermind + Lighthouse (15%)
  3. Reth + Prysm (10%)
  
Best for beginners:
  → Geth + Lighthouse
  (Most documentation)
  
Best for performance:
  → Reth + Prysm
  (Fastest sync)
  
Best for low-end hardware:
  → Besu + Nimbus
  (Runs on Raspberry Pi)
```

### Client Diversity
```yaml
Goal: No client >33% market share

Why: Bug in majority client = chain halt

How to help:
  - Run minority clients
  - Switch from Geth if possible
  - Try Reth, Nethermind, or Besu
  
Every diverse node helps the network!
```

---

## Conclusion

Remember that Discord conversation from the beginning?

Now you know:
- A **node** is the running instance
- A **client** is the software
- You need **two clients** post-Merge
- Different clients do different jobs

**The correct way to talk about it:**
```
Before:
"I'm running a Geth node"

Better:
"I'm running a node using Geth and Lighthouse"

Even better:
"I'm running an Ethereum node with Geth as my execution client and Lighthouse as my consensus client"

Most accurate:
"My server is operating as an Ethereum node by running the Geth execution client and Lighthouse consensus client, which communicate via the Engine API to participate in the network"

(But honestly, the second one is fine)
```

**Why this matters:**

When everyone uses terms correctly:
- Documentation makes sense
- Tutorials are clearer
- Fewer confused developers
- Better communication
- Stronger ecosystem

**The node is not the software.**

**The client is the software.**

**You use clients to run a node.**

Say it with me!

Now go forth and correct people when they say "I'm running a Geth" 😄

But do it nicely, we've all been confused by these terms!

---
**Want to run your own node?**

Getting started:
- [Ethereum.org Node Guide](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/)
- [EthStaker](https://ethstaker.cc) - Community for node operators
- [Client Documentation](https://ethereum.org/en/developers/docs/nodes-and-clients/)

Client downloads:
- [Geth](https://geth.ethereum.org/downloads/)
- [Reth](https://github.com/paradigmxyz/reth)
- [Nethermind](https://nethermind.io/)
- [Lighthouse](https://lighthouse-book.sigmaprime.io/)
- [Prysm](https://docs.prylabs.network/)

Hardware guides:
- [Rocketpool Node Setup](https://docs.rocketpool.net/)
- [Solo Staking Guide](https://github.com/remyroy/ethstaker)

**P.S.** Client diversity matters! If you're running Geth, consider trying Reth or Nethermind. Every minority client helps secure the network! 

**P.P.S.** Running a node (even without validating) helps Ethereum! You're contributing to decentralization, providing alternative RPC endpoints, and supporting the network. Consider it! 💪

---

###### tags: `ethereum` `node` `client` `geth` `lighthouse` `infrastructure` `validators` `execution-client` `consensus-client`