Overview

A blockchain full node is software that stores the current state of the shardchains defined in the node’s configuration.

Full nodes keep only the most recent data and automatically prune outdated data to optimize storage usage. They stay synchronized with other full nodes to maintain a consistent copy of the state across the network.

A full node can operate in two modes:

• Liteserver, which can also act as an archive liteserver.
• Validator, which can also act as a collator.

Full nodes are managed through the MyTonCtrl tool, which provides additional node management modes.

MyTonCtrl management modes

Mode	Description
Liteserver	In this mode, node keeps the latest shardchain state and serves it to lite clients — external services that request blockchain data. For example, it provides up-to-date blockchain data for wallets.
Archive liteserver	In this mode, node stores all blockchain data, including old blocks and states. For example, it serves explorers with historical data.
Validator	In this mode, node signs blocks, participates in elections, and earns rewards. It is used to run validation with your stake.
Collator	In this mode, node produces blocks for validators. It reduces load on the validators by setting up block creation on a separate host machine.
Nominator pool	In this mode, the smart contract accepts stakes from multiple users and operates a validator on their behalf, distributing rewards securely among participants.
Single nominator	In this mode, the smart contract accepts stakes from a single user and operates a validator on the user’s behalf, distributing rewards securely using a cold wallet.
Liquid staking	In this mode, the smart contract issues a liquid staking token. Users delegate funds for validation, and staking rewards increase the token’s value.

Liteserver

Liteserver provides an ADNL API to fetch specific blocks, accounts, and transactions instead of synchronizing a full state. It is also useful to run HTTP API, which provide endpoints to interact with liteserver without a need to connect over ADNL.

Archive liteserver

Archive nodes are full nodes that do not prune the blockchain state, which increases storage requirements. It requires 12 TB of disk space, compared to approximately 1 TB for other node types.

Validator

There is a reference for validator-related commands in mytonctrl.

Validator nodes or validators are the TON network participants who propose new blocks and verify transactions according to TON’s proof-of-stake mechanism. The top 400 validators are selected based on network configuration parameter. Validators receive rewards for validation.

Collator

There is a reference for collator-related commands in mytonctrl.

Collator produces new blocks. Usually it is a validator part, but it is possible to run it on a separate machine to improve performance of validation.

Nominator pools

There is a reference for nominator-related commands in mytonctrl.

Liquid staking

There is a reference for liquid staking related commands in mytonctrl.

When to run your own node

• Use public endpoints when:
  • building prototypes or light integrations.

Liteservers and APIs, such as TON Center or other RPC providers, offer read access to blockchain data and support transaction submission to the network.

• Run your own full node when:
  • running a validator or staking service.
  • guaranteed uptime or high-volume access beyond third-party limits is required.

Select the target environment

If you need	Run
Validator or nominator	Setting up a node using MyTonCtrl with validator, nominator pool, or single nominator workflows. MyTonCtrl automates validator wallets, overlays, elections, and upgrades.
Liteserver APIs	Setting up a node using MyTonCtrl with liteserver mode. Enable archive mode if required.
Isolated development network	Setting up a local blockchain using MyLocalTon with a local shard, explorer, and APIs for development and testing without affecting the mainnet.