Core Protocolcluster
Cluster
A set of validators working together to maintain a single Solana ledger. Solana operates three main clusters: mainnet-beta (production), devnet (development), and testnet (stress testing). Each cluster has its own genesis block, token supply, and independent validator set. Validators in a cluster discover each other via the gossip protocol.
Related terms
3Core Protocol
Validator
A node that participates in the Solana network by validating transactions, voting on blocks, and (when selected as leade...
Core Protocol
Gossip Protocol
A protocol used by validators to exchange metadata and discover peers without relying on a central server. Gossip propag...
Core Protocol
Genesis Block
The first block (slot 0) of a Solana cluster that defines initial configuration: the mint account, initial token supply,...