[AIP-139][Discussion] Deprecating Validator Full Nodes (VFNs)

[JoshLind]

AIP Discussion

This AIP proposes removing validator fullnodes (VFNs) from the Aptos network and allowing public fullnodes (PFNs) to connect directly to validators. Although VFNs were originally introduced as a security mechanism to isolate validators from public traffic, they provide only few security benefits in practice. Moreover, they significantly increase operating costs, hinder network performance, and introduce software and deployment complexities. By deprecating VFNs and adopting alternate security safeguards, we can reduce costs and complexity, while maintaining network security and improving performance.

Read more about it here: https://github.com/aptos-foundation/AIPs/blob/main/aips/aip-139.md

[cryptomolot]

As a small-stake validator, I’m strongly in favor of AIP-139. Deprecating VFNs should cut infra costs and ops overhead a lot, which matters most for smaller operators, and it also removes an extra hop that adds latency and complexity.