# Running a Full Node

<table data-view="cards" data-full-width="false"><thead><tr><th align="center"></th><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden data-card-cover data-type="files"></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="center"><strong>Full Node Requirements</strong> </td><td><em>Specifications and hardware needed to run a full node.</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FucUawLFkfvfJDVn0x64f%2FFull%20Node%20Requirments%20-.png?alt=media&#x26;token=6370d1e7-6f84-4c02-aa50-e580295f5ef0">Full Node Requirments -.png</a></td><td><a href="running-a-full-node/requirements">requirements</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Full Node Setup</strong></td><td><em>Step-by-step instructions to set up your full node.</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FLNkgTlT22VujZERvLtuR%2FFull%20Node%20Setup%20-%20Full%20node.png?alt=media&#x26;token=9f287208-38e9-4763-9e95-9a704c9c5822">Full Node Setup - Full node.png</a></td><td><a href="running-a-full-node/setup">setup</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Update</strong></td><td><em>Download and install updates to maintain compatibility and performance.</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2Fo9r1fhQBnJNo718wAzUt%2FUpdate%20-%20dev.png?alt=media&#x26;token=c4c520b1-ad1d-40ef-964e-28f5b703c776">Update - dev.png</a></td><td><a href="running-a-full-node/update">update</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Cosmovisor</strong></td><td><p><em>Setup and configure Cosmovisor to Automate the management of your node upgrades.</em></p><p></p></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FOGvZ3af4CI1UPhitJakV%2FCosmovisor.png?alt=media&#x26;token=cb48ef16-9101-4304-9671-aa5246aa45e4">Cosmovisor.png</a></td><td><a href="running-a-full-node/cosmovisor">cosmovisor</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>Reset The Data</strong></td><td><em>Instructions to safely clear and restart your node data</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FiU5Mov2GXthiUsTp0xOy%2FReset%20Data%20-%20Full%20Node.png?alt=media&#x26;token=d5cc06ff-eadd-4c82-8969-6f16b949f0c5">Reset Data - Full Node.png</a></td><td><a href="running-a-full-node/reset-the-data">reset-the-data</a></td></tr><tr><td align="center"><strong>State Sync</strong></td><td> <em>Configure and run state sync for faster node setup.</em></td><td></td><td><a href="https://3102326533-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FcTPyogw4Q0VgnBLVntiv%2Fuploads%2FhdPgORf8HopYK4y8v4Gw%2FState%20Sync%20-%20Fullnode.png?alt=media&#x26;token=7b3eba39-ca28-44e0-8afd-9550cea45849">State Sync - Fullnode.png</a></td><td><a href="running-a-full-node/state-sync">state-sync</a></td></tr></tbody></table>

### Full Node Overview

A full node is a program that fully validates transactions and blocks of a blockchain. It is distinct from a light node that only processes block headers and a small subset of transactions. Running a full-node requires more resources than a light-node but is necessary in order to be a validator. In practice, running a full node only implies running a non-compromised and up-to-date version of the software with low network latency and without downtime.

Of course, it is possible and encouraged for users to run full-nodes even if they do not plan to be validators