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Software

Each node on the EOS network runs the same software called nodeos. The software can be configured for each node to serve a different role on the EOS network. Some nodes produce blocks, others relay blocks and transactions, others respond to API requests, others provide historical chain data, etc.

i nodeos is part of the Leap software suite. It is the software that fuels every node of the EOS network. nodeos functions as a command line interface (CLI) application, allowing users to start it either manually through the command line or automatically using a script.

The behavior of nodeos primarily depends on the active plugins and the options associated with those plugins. nodeos provides two distinct sets of options:

  • nodeos-specific options
  • plugin-specific options

Nodeos-specific options

Nodeos-specific options exist primarily for administrative tasks, such as specifying the chain data directory, indicating the config.ini file, setting the logging configuration file's name and path, and so on. For the actual list of nodeos-specific options, run nodeos --help from the terminal and find the Application Command Line Options section at the end.

Plugin-specific options

Plugin-specific options and the applicable plugins govern the actual behavior of the node. Each plugin-specific option has a distinct name, enabling it to be specified in any order within the command line or the config.ini file. When providing plugin-specific options, it is necessary to enable the corresponding plugin using the --plugin option, or else the related options will be discarded.

i To install the EOS node software, visit the Binary Installation section or the Build and Install from Source section within the Leap github project.