How is the ledger stored on every node?

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1

I read different sourcing claiming the size of the blockchain for bitcoin.

Some says it's 8GB, some a 100GB and some 800GB.

Now I'm wondering do all the miners computers (nodes) have to store it all ? In case it's a TB it seems like a lot. Even though it's not it's still growing everyday, so is the blockchain really entierely stored on each nodes ?

Note : I used to mine a few years back I don't remember having my storage taken up by the blockchain.

Sebastien FERRAND

Posted 2017-07-03T09:17:49.283

Reputation: 193

Answers

3

Yes. The blockchain is stored completely on a full node (unless running in pruned mode) , there are mechanisms to prune and only keep relevant data, however pruning also requires you first get the complete blockchain. The size is approx 120 GB as of now. The blockchain is growing every day (rather every 10 mins).

Miners most probably have custom solutions to compute next block , so each pool node may or may not require the full chain.

Bobo

Posted 2017-07-03T09:17:49.283

Reputation: 393

What is the storage mechanism? A database? Which? Just on the filesystem? – Tristan Tzara – 2019-08-06T11:50:46.677

@TristanTzara Depends on the software you are running. Bitcoin doesn't care. – user253751 – 2019-11-29T14:10:46.867

2You're a bit inconsistent... if there are methods to prune, then obviously full nodes don't need to store the whole chain. – Pieter Wuille – 2017-07-03T17:14:02.720

2@PieterWuille : Correct , updated the answer to clarify. – Bobo – 2017-07-03T21:51:23.280

So bottom line they're able to shrunken it (by how much). But that means that a mining machine needs a strong GPU and decent storage right ? (I'll give you that nowadays 120 GB isn't too much hehe) – Sebastien FERRAND – 2017-07-04T07:37:54.550

I've not run a full node , so can't comment. It is almost impossible to be a solo miner at the moment , you will need to join a pool. If you were an early miner and have some bitcoins around, you can start the party ;) – Bobo – 2017-07-05T10:23:21.913

Asked: 2017-07-03T09:17:49.283

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Active: 2017-07-03T21:50:47.367