Bootstrap Node

A bootstrap node is a well-known, stable node whose address ships with client software so that a newly started node has somewhere to connect on its very first run. It holds no special consensus role: its job is simply to introduce the newcomer to the network by handing over addresses of other active peers, after which the node builds its own peer list and no longer depends on it. Clients normally include several bootstrap nodes operated by different teams, because relying on a single operator would be a centralisation and censorship risk — a hostile set of entry points could feed a new node a distorted view of the network. Node operators can also configure their own trusted bootstrap addresses.