> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.soniclabs.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.soniclabs.com/sonic/node-deployment.md).

# Node Deployment

Nodes are interconnected devices, usually software run on servers, that maintain the Sonic network by storing a full or partial copy of the chain, validating transactions, and ensuring consensus to keep the system secure and decentralized.

Visit the pages below to learn how to deploy archive and validator nodes on Sonic, and how to harden them.

<table data-card-size="large" data-view="cards"><thead><tr><th></th><th></th><th data-hidden></th><th data-hidden data-card-target data-type="content-ref"></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td><strong>Archive Node</strong></td><td>Stores the entire history of the chain since the genesis block but does not validate transactions or create new blocks.</td><td></td><td><a href="/sonic/node-deployment/archive-node.md">Archive Node</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Validator Node</strong><br>Validates transactions and creates new blocks to securely power and maintain the integrity of the network.</td><td></td><td></td><td><a href="/sonic/node-deployment/validator-node.md">Validator Node</a></td></tr><tr><td><strong>Node Hardening</strong></td><td>Protects RPC nodes and validators: close what shouldn't be open, sandbox the node, get alerted, and control who can call it.</td><td></td><td><a href="/sonic/node-deployment/node-hardening.md">Node Hardening</a></td></tr></tbody></table>