A German blockchain stake provider expands its presence in Europe with the addition of Solana validation nodes

The Context

Growing demand for decentralized applications and high throughput of blockchain Solana require a reliable and geographically distributed validator infrastructure. Providing decentralization and failure tolerance is critical to the stability of the network. The customer wants to expand their Solana network by deploying additional validation nodes in strategically important regions of Europe. Additionally, their development team needed an independent RPC node to ensure fast and reliable blockchain data retrieval.

The Challenge

• Geographic diversification: The need to deploy validation nodes in different geographic locations (Germany, France, the Netherlands) to increase decentralization and reduce the risk of centralized failure. Each country has its own advantages regarding the availability of data centers and network infrastructure.
• Performance and reliability of validator servers: Ensuring stable operation of validator nodes with minimal downtime, high transaction processing speeds, and efficient synchronization with the Solana network.
• High Performance RPC Node: Deploy an RPC node that can handle a large number of requests with low latency, providing fast access to blockchain data for dApps and users.
• Selecting the appropriate server configuration: Selection and configuration of the server according to the requirements of the blockchain platform.
• Monitoring and management: Implementation of an effective monitoring system to track the status of validation servers and the RPC node, as well as mechanisms for proactive failure detection and maintenance.
• Security and high availability: Ensuring a high level of security for all nodes, including protection against DDoS attacks, unauthorized access and other cyber threats.

The Solution

Our Approach: Building a Future-Ready Blockchain Infrastructure

To meet the client’s performance, reliability, and decentralization goals, we implemented a comprehensive strategy focused on smart geographic distribution and cutting-edge hardware.

Strategic Location Selection

Germany

A high-quality data center in Germany was chosen for one of the validator nodes, thanks to its strong network infrastructure and central position in Europe. Perfect for supporting a blockchain platform with a continental focus.

The Netherlands

The RPC node was deployed in a state-of-the-art Dutch data center. This location was selected for its advanced infrastructure, availability of the latest AMD EPYC Gen. 5 “Turin” processors, and fault-tolerant network connections. Ideal for ensuring ultra-fast, uninterrupted data access.

France

Validator nodes were placed in two different French cities, further boosting geographic diversification. These sites offer top-tier server availability, security, and redundancy, aligning with the high standards needed for decentralized operations.

High-Performance Hardware Configuration

• Validator Nodes

Each validator node runs on high-performance dedicated servers featuring 24-core AMD EPYC Gen. 4 processors and 10 Gbps network connections. This ensures fast transaction processing, low latency, and high availability.

• RPC Node (Netherlands)

To meet the high demand for data access, the RPC node was built on a powerful 32-core AMD EPYC 9355P Gen. 5 Turin CPU. This latest-generation processor offers exceptional I/O performance and network speed, making it an ideal foundation for handling large volumes of real-time blockchain queries.

Deployment, Monitoring & Security: Built for Performance and Peace of Mind

To ensure the new customer’s infrastructure was fast, stable, and secure, INTROSERV carried out a comprehensive deployment, tailored configuration, and rigorous monitoring setup. All designed to meet the client’s high standards for performance and reliability.

Deployment & Configuration

• All servers were set up with the latest Ubuntu Server 24.04 operating system.
• Validator nodes were configured with link aggregation, providing network-level fault tolerance for added reliability.
• Storage systems were customized per client requirements. RAID arrays were created for OS drives, with additional disks mounted and optimized for performance.
• All core software components were installed and fine-tuned according to the client’s specifications.

Monitoring & Automation

• A full monitoring system was implemented to track node availability, hardware health, and software performance in real time.
• Smart alerts and notifications were configured to flag critical issues, such as disk errors, node outages, abnormal loads, and degraded performance, before they cause downtime.
• Backup solutions were deployed for key software components. Additionally, INTROSERV’s own backup service was connected for the OS disk arrays, ensuring quick recovery in case of failure or migration needs.

Robust Security

• Firewalls were configured to tightly control access, opening only essential ports.
• Administrative access is secured via SSH keys and restricted to encrypted VPN tunnels only.
• All servers include built-in DDoS protection by default, defending the infrastructure from external threats.

The Result: Sustainable infrastructure for active participation in the Solana ecosystem

Expanded Network Presence

By deploying server infrastructure in three strategic locations – Germany, France, and the Netherlands, the client significantly reduced the risk of centralized failure. This enhanced resilience against regional disruptions or attacks, while increasing blockchain rewards for securing and processing transactions.

Boosted Performance & Reliability

All validation nodes operate with high uptime and efficiency, actively contributing to Solana’s network consensus. This ensures dependable transaction processing and overall stability of the blockchain.

High-Speed RPC Node

The RPC node deployed in the Netherlands delivers fast, low-latency access to Solana blockchain data for developers and decentralized apps. This helps fuel growth of the Solana ecosystem across Europe by providing quick, reliable interaction with the network.

Efficient monitoring and Uptime Assurance

Real-time monitoring and alert systems enable quick detection and resolution of any issues, helping minimize downtime and maintain uninterrupted operations.

Enhanced Security

Robust security measures - including firewalls, DDoS protection, VPN access, and SSH key authentication - greatly reduce the risk of attacks and unauthorized access.

Looking Ahead

This project, delivered by the INTROSERV team, showcases how strategic geographic expansion and infrastructure optimization can support the growth of blockchain platforms like Solana. The client has seen a stable increase in blockchain rewards and plans to further expand across additional countries selecting from our latest generation of AMD-powered server offerings.