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Ethereum (ETH) is an open-source platform based on blockchain technology that supports smart contracts, decentralized applications (DApps), and functions such as cryptocurrency token issuance. As a distributed system, the Ethereum network consists of numerous nodes and provides a way to communicate with other nodes through a public Remote Procedure Call (RPC) interface. RPC can be understood as an entry point for accessing the blockchain network, much like a door. All transactions on the ETH chain require this door to be accessed. This article will introduce public RPC nodes for Ethereum.
What is an Ethereum public RPC node?
An Ethereum (ETH) public RPC node is a way to interact with the Ethereum network, allowing developers to query blockchain data, broadcast transactions, and execute smart contracts through RPC. These nodes are hosted by various service providers and can be connected to via HTTP or WebSocket protocols, communicating with the Ethereum blockchain network (ETH Mainnet) through the JSON-RPC interface provided by the nodes.
Why do we need Ethereum public RPC nodes?
When interacting and trading on the blockchain, programs need to communicate with the Ethereum network. Running a complete Ethereum client on one's own node as a developer when developing DApps and smart contracts can be resource-intensive and time-consuming. Instead, using public RPC nodes can allow for faster data retrieval and transaction execution while saving costs associated with deploying and maintaining an Ethereum node.
During times of ETH congestion, switching public RPC nodes and selecting RPC entry points with lower latency can reduce delays, avoid traffic jams, increase transaction speed, and gain a competitive edge. It is important to note that switching RPC nodes does not necessarily reduce gas fees. RPC solves the problem of access to the blockchain rather than addressing the overall performance and cost issues of the entire chain.
What are some commonly used public RPC nodes for Ethereum?
https://mainnet.infura.io - Infura provides hosted node services for Ethereum and IPFS, offering RPC nodes for both the Ethereum mainnet and test networks.
https://cloudflare-eth.com - Cloudflare offers an Ethereum mainnet RPC node.
https://api.mycryptoapi.com/eth - MyCrypto API supplies an Ethereum mainnet RPC node.
https://rpc.slock.it/mainnet - Slock.it hosts an Ethereum mainnet RPC node.
https://eth.rpc.rivet.cloud - Rivet maintains an Ethereum mainnet RPC node.
https://mainnet-rpc.dexon.org - Dexon operates an Ethereum mainnet RPC node.
https://eth-mainnet.alchemyapi.io/v2/{API_KEY} - Alchemy offers an Ethereum mainnet RPC node, with a private API key available upon request.
https://rpc.moonriver.moonbeam.network - Moonriver runs an Ethereum mainnet RPC node.
https://eth.rpc.tor.us - Torus manages an Ethereum mainnet RPC node.
https://mainnet-rpc.thundercore.com - ThunderCore operates an Ethereum mainnet RPC node.
https://rpc.ankr.com/eth - Ankr provides an ETH mainnet RPC node. Their paid version also supports the WebSocket protocol.
These nodes are all operated by reputable and secure vendors, like Cloudflare. They leverage service scheduling and edge computing networks to achieve faster, more localized access to the ETH network, facilitating transactions. When choosing a node, I typically run speed tests on all options and pick the one with the lowest latency. It's worth noting that nodes requiring API key applications, such as Alchemy, often have fewer access requests than their counterparts. This can result in improved speed.