About

What is a validator

Validators are nodes that can produce blocks and that can participate in the finalization consensus.

In its essence, the Humanode network is simply a network of validator nodes running the node software.

Non-validator nodes can also exist in the network, but they do not have the ability to create new blocks or vote in the finalization of the existing DAGs.

However, any node (not just validators) can import blocks, read the chain state, participate in the gossip network, exchange transactions in the transaction pool, expose the RPC APIs, and etc.

What are the rules

In the Humanode network, validators are required to have active authentications at the About Bioauth system.

Unlike PoW or PoS networks, validators do not need to have powerful mining equipment nor do they need to have a huge steak.

Technically, it works as follows:

1. A human enrolls an address with the bioauth system.

2. Then the node is linked to this address via session keys.

3. Then human authenticates with the bioauth system, obtains an auth ticket and provided it to the network.

4. Network validates the auth ticket, and adds the address mentioned above to the list of validators.

5. Upon expiration of the authentication or if the node does not appear offline, the network will remove the address from the list of validators.

How do I become a validator

For a reference-level overview of the process of becoming a validator, see:

pageBecoming a validator

If you need a step-by-step guide on becoming a validator, see the quick start section of this documentation:

pageQuick Start