Unlike a network where every participant runs the same “full + miner” stack, Lineage uses distinct node types so payments can be confirmed quickly, mining can stay widely accessible, and full history can be served without forcing every user to store the whole chain.
Types at a glance
- Mempool node — collects transactions, participates in block construction, and coordinates validation with a bounded set of long-lived nodes.
- Miner node — performs the proof-of-work (or protocol-equivalent) work to produce block candidates and earn rewards. Many miners can participate; assignments rotate by round.
- Storage node — retains the full blockchain and serves history to clients. Participation as a storage operator is a deployment choice, not a requirement to use the network as a light client.
Why the split
Fast settlement for users
Mempool nodes can reason about which spends are valid in the “present” view of the ledger, so applications do not have to wait through many confirmation depths just to know a spend is well-formed for inclusion.
Geographic and operational spread
A deliberate distribution of long-lived nodes reduces single-point risk and keeps routing around partitions aligned with the protocol’s design.
Storage vs. mining burden
Not everyone who wants to mine or transact should need-archival storage. Archival nodes can specialize, while other participants keep lighter state.
Two-party and token-for-asset flows
The two-way and asset flows described in the rest of the docs rely on mempool and miner coordination; see Two-way transaction for the user-facing model.