Definition ∞ Node failures describe instances where individual computers participating in a decentralized network cease to operate correctly or become unresponsive. These failures can result from hardware malfunctions, software errors, network connectivity issues, or malicious attacks. While isolated failures are common, a widespread occurrence can impact network performance or security. Resilient network designs incorporate redundancy to mitigate the impact of such events.
Context ∞ In blockchain networks, node failures are a constant operational concern, as they can affect transaction propagation, block validation, and overall network stability. News often reports on incidents where significant node outages test a network’s fault tolerance. Protocol upgrades frequently focus on improving network resilience and incentivizing node operators to maintain high uptime.