Relay Nodes

What Are Relay Nodes?

Relay nodes are network hubs that establish connections with multiple other nodes. These nodes have strong connectivity, enabling efficient communication pathways and reducing the number of hops needed to send messages across the network.

In the context of a blockchain, a node refers to a computer that allows participants to engage in a decentralized database. These nodes are distributed across different locations to ensure the decentralized operation of the network. They serve as the foundation of blockchain technology and contribute to the creation of a unified system within the blockchain. The more nodes supporting the decentralized infrastructure, the more resilient the blockchain becomes.

Relay nodes are a specific type of node in the blockchain network that can minimize system noise. They collect protocol messages from participating nodes and other connected relay nodes. These relay nodes perform duplication checks, validate signatures, and other necessary steps before transmitting only valid messages. To reduce propagation time, relay nodes are often positioned near internet exchange points. Anyone can operate relay nodes.

Relay nodes are commonly used in wireless networks in the field of information technology. They greatly enhance the efficiency of wireless networks by strategically dividing long single-hops into shorter two-hops, rather than performing a single long hop from one node to another. The effectiveness of this technique varies depending on the technology, path loss models, and environment, but it has proven to be highly effective in reducing path loss in certain cases.

In the Algorand platform, relay nodes play a crucial role in maintaining interconnection between all other types of nodes. They communicate with participation nodes and other relay nodes using network messages, which are then used for deduplication, signature checks, and other validation processes to re-propagate valid messages within the system. Relay nodes significantly reduce transmission time.

A relay node installs the same software as a non-relay node but requires a few additional configuration specifications to be set.

The fact that a relay node is essentially the same as any other node is one of the advantages of Algorand’s decentralized network implementation. Currently, the distinction is made by configuring a node to actively listen for connections from others and advertising itself via DNS SRV records. A relay for a personal network that does not require DNS entries can be set up. A node is considered a valid relay node if it meets the following conditions:

• The node is set up to receive inbound traffic on a publicly open port.
• Algorand’s SRV records for a given network contain the node’s public IP address and assigned port.

Other nodes connect to relay nodes, so they must be capable of supporting a large number of connections while handling the processing burden associated with the data traveling to and from these connections.