Hosting Models

Switch and Validation nodes can be deployed through two hosting models:

· Managed Hosting

· Self-Hosting.

This flexibility allows both technically experienced operators who want full control over their infrastructure and participants who prefer a hands-off approach to take part in the node economy.

Managed Hosting

The node is deployed and maintained by an approved hosting provider on behalf of the operator. The provider handles server provisioning, uptime management, software updates, and technical maintenance. The node operator retains ownership and receives their rewards as normal, without needing to manage the underlying infrastructure directly.

Self-Hosting

The operator deploys and maintains the node on their own hardware or cloud environment. This gives full control over the server configuration, network setup, and operational management. Self-hosting is suited to operators with the technical capability and infrastructure to maintain the uptime and performance standards required by the network.

Both models produce the same reward outcomes. The hosting choice does not affect the node's eligibility for rewards, its position in the random selection process, or its role within the network. The distinction is purely operational.

This mixed model is important because infrastructure participation in decentralised networks is often constrained by technical ability. By offering a managed path alongside self-hosting, the network broadens the pool of participants who can contribute to and earn from the DePIN infrastructure without compromising on the operational standards that carriers depend on.