What is contained within Peer Nodes in a blockchain network?

Peer nodes in a blockchain network are fundamental components that contain both the ledger and the state database (DB). The ledger is a critical element that records all transactions in a chronological order, maintaining a permanent and immutable record of the blockchain’s history. The state DB, on the other hand, reflects the current state of the blockchain, showing the present balances, permissions, and other relevant data as interpreted from past transactions.

This architecture allows peer nodes to validate transactions, maintain consensus, and ensure that every participant has access to the most recent version of the data, thus enabling trust and transparency among the network participants. The presence of the ledger and state DB in peer nodes is essential for blockchain functionality as it underpins the foundational aspects of transaction verification and data integrity throughout the network.