<p>Yes. The client <a href="https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/14b7b3fb9f79aeadddb350c8ba795ebf0728a3ec/src/init.cpp#L1438" rel="nofollow">unsets the service bit NODE_NETWORK</a> when pruning. </p>

<p>You could also try to request a block.</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-29T20:26:48.297Z
Are nodes without NODE_NETWORK set still considered full nodes?
Geremia
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-29T20:27:10.623Z
I see https://bitnodes.21.co/ reports NODE_NETWORK for nodes that have it set.
Geremia
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-29T22:47:27.027Z
As far as i understand this may change in the future. A pruning node could hold a random chunk of historical blocks and seed those. But, there will probably always to ways to recognise a pruning node, i guess.
Jannes
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-29T22:51:51.013Z
@Geremia Some non-NODE_NETWORK nodes are full nodes. If you run Bitcoin Core in pruning mode, it still validates all blocks, but it won't help the network by allowing other nodes to download the complete blockchain.  Others (thin wallets) aren't full nodes.
Nick ODell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-29T18:02:09.457Z
2016-09-29T18:02:09.457Z
Nick ODell
<p>Is there a way to determine if a remote full-node prunes its blocks (i.e., if it doesn't store the entire Bitcoin blockchain)?</p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-29T22:44:10.700Z
Really wonder why you would want to know. In case you were wondering: a pruning node is still a full node.
Jannes
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-09-30T03:10:46.833Z
@Jannes To estimate what percentage of the network is leechers vs. seeders.
Geremia
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-01T14:44:49.843Z
Pruned nodes still propagate recent blocks and transactions. Where speed is actually more important than for ancient blocks. SPV nodes for example don't seed at all, but they also leech less. It's not just about data either, there are also meta effects. And then even a blocksonly non uploading pruning full node is still a benefit to the system if it represents some economic weight (someone holding or accepting bitcoins). All validating nodes help cement bitcoins rules and protect against evil hard forks, sounding alarm bells when something's wrong. Making Bitcoin more decentralised.
Jannes
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-01T14:47:02.640Z
In short: There are many shades of grey between seeders and leechers. As long as there's a healthy mix and not an extreme shortage of some shades, then they all benefit Bitcoin to some degree.
Jannes
<pruning>
How to determine if a remote node prunes?
Geremia
# How to determine if a remote node prunes?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2016-09-29)

Is there a way to determine if a remote full-node prunes its blocks (i.e., if it doesn't store the entire Bitcoin blockchain)?

**Tags:** pruning

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: Really wonder why you would want to know. In case you were wondering: a pruning node is still a full node.  
> **username_0**: @username_1 To estimate what percentage of the network is leechers vs. seeders.  
> **username_1**: Pruned nodes still propagate recent blocks and transactions. Where speed is actually more important than for ancient blocks. SPV nodes for example don't seed at all, but they also leech less. It's not just about data either, there are also meta effects. And then even a blocksonly non uploading pruning full node is still a benefit to the system if it represents some economic weight (someone holding or accepting bitcoins). All validating nodes help cement bitcoins rules and protect against evil hard forks, sounding alarm bells when something's wrong. Making Bitcoin more decentralised.  
> **username_1**: In short: There are many shades of grey between seeders and leechers. As long as there's a healthy mix and not an extreme shortage of some shades, then they all benefit Bitcoin to some degree.  

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## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-09-29. Score: 2 | Accepted answer

Yes. The client [unsets the service bit NODE\_NETWORK](https://github.com/bitcoin/bitcoin/blob/14b7b3fb9f79aeadddb350c8ba795ebf0728a3ec/src/init.cpp#L1438) when pruning.

You could also try to request a block.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Are nodes without NODE_NETWORK set still considered full nodes?  
> **username_0**: I see https://bitnodes.21.co/ reports NODE_NETWORK for nodes that have it set.  
> **username_1**: As far as i understand this may change in the future. A pruning node could hold a random chunk of historical blocks and seed those. But, there will probably always to ways to recognise a pruning node, i guess.  
> **username_2**: @username_0 Some non-NODE_NETWORK nodes are full nodes. If you run Bitcoin Core in pruning mode, it still validates all blocks, but it won't help the network by allowing other nodes to download the complete blockchain.  Others (thin wallets) aren't full nodes.  

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