<p>A full node is a node that validates all network rules, regardless of whether it listens for incoming connections or not. Bitcoin Core is full node software which always does this.</p>
<p>To see whether you can be reached by others, look at the network view and see if you have any incoming connections. Note that it may takes hours to days before your IP address is sufficiently well known to others on the network to make connections to you.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-26T15:18:21.943Z
Thank you. I marked it as 'answered' as you effectively answered my question. I do wonder though, how then does one run a 'listening node'. Is that even possible with Bitcoin Core?
StatsScared
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-26T15:22:08.153Z
Bitcoin Core will listen for other connections, yes. Whether that works depends on whether you have a publicly-reachable IP (not behind a NAT, or a NAT that can be configured to forward), and whether connections can get through (e.g. firewall settings).
Pieter Wuille
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-26T16:18:59.897Z
Thanks again. One last question, is there any benefit of running a 'listening node'? I guess to explore transactions without the need to validate anything?
StatsScared
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-26T16:54:01.277Z
Bitcoin Core always validates everything. Listening means that other nodes can connect to you. To explore transactions you need an explorer (software or website); Bitcoin Core doesn't offer this, but it is entirely independent from whether you accept connections from other nodes or not. All nodes learn everything.
Pieter Wuille
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-26T20:52:08.253Z
"Bitcoin Core doesn't offer this". But doesn't Bitcoin Core fulfill the functions of a Bitcoin blockchain explorer website? You can check the balance associated with an address, know what the current fees are without trusting a web site, etc.
StatsScared
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-26T21:02:09.977Z
It functions as a wallet, it does not function as an explorer (in the sense that explorers allow you to quickly browse any transactions or address). In fact, it doesn't have any "address balance" functionality at all - it only offers a wallet balance, for your own wallet. It does offer fee estimation too.
Pieter Wuille
CC BY-SA 4.0
2022-01-26T15:08:56.200Z
2022-01-26T15:08:56.200Z
Pieter Wuille
<p>I understand there is a difference between the two. But how can I tell?</p>

<bitcoin-core><nodes>
I am running Bitcoin core, how can I tell if my node is a 'full' validating node or a 'listening' node?
StatsScared
# I am running Bitcoin core, how can I tell if my node is a 'full' validating node or a 'listening' node?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2022-01-26)

I understand there is a difference between the two. But how can I tell?

**Tags:** bitcoin-core, nodes


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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_1 on 2022-01-26. Score: 3 | Accepted answer

A full node is a node that validates all network rules, regardless of whether it listens for incoming connections or not. Bitcoin Core is full node software which always does this.

To see whether you can be reached by others, look at the network view and see if you have any incoming connections. Note that it may takes hours to days before your IP address is sufficiently well known to others on the network to make connections to you.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you. I marked it as 'answered' as you effectively answered my question. I do wonder though, how then does one run a 'listening node'. Is that even possible with Bitcoin Core?  
> **username_1**: Bitcoin Core will listen for other connections, yes. Whether that works depends on whether you have a publicly-reachable IP (not behind a NAT, or a NAT that can be configured to forward), and whether connections can get through (e.g. firewall settings).  
> **username_0**: Thanks again. One last question, is there any benefit of running a 'listening node'? I guess to explore transactions without the need to validate anything?  
> **username_1**: Bitcoin Core always validates everything. Listening means that other nodes can connect to you. To explore transactions you need an explorer (software or website); Bitcoin Core doesn't offer this, but it is entirely independent from whether you accept connections from other nodes or not. All nodes learn everything.  
> **username_0**: "Bitcoin Core doesn't offer this". But doesn't Bitcoin Core fulfill the functions of a Bitcoin blockchain explorer website? You can check the balance associated with an address, know what the current fees are without trusting a web site, etc.  
> **username_1**: It functions as a wallet, it does not function as an explorer (in the sense that explorers allow you to quickly browse any transactions or address). In fact, it doesn't have any "address balance" functionality at all - it only offers a wallet balance, for your own wallet. It does offer fee estimation too.  

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