> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.peaq.xyz/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # Node Operator Introduction ## Discussion peaq’s block production relies on **validators** and **delegators** working together to ensure that transactions are propagated into blocks in a fast, reliable, censorship-resistant manner. The **main role** of a validator is to **create blocks** and keep the **state** of the network up to date. After creation blocks are provided to validators on the **relay chain** for final approval. The role of validators can be compared to miners in networks that use **Proof of Work**. However, unlike miners, validators don't improve network safety, but they're essential for **maintaining** network activity, ensuring it's decentralized and censorship-resistant. In essence, validators generate proofs of state changes for validators, based on the **Polkadot** and **Kusama** relay chains. They also run a complete node on both the relay chain and parachain in their respective operations. peaq is using [NPoS](https://learn.bybit.com/glossary/definition-nominated-proof-of-stake-npos/) (Nominated Proof of Stake) for block production and relies on the Relay Chain for block **validation** and **finalization**. It's important to mention that due to the **security** design of the Relay Chain, dishonest validators can **never finalize** invalid blocks. Therefore, the maximum damage that dishonest validators can inflict is to **slow down** or **temporarily stop** the network. Provided there is a single honest validator, the parachain remains **secure** and **fully operational**. However, the speed at which blocks are created would be slower than when there's a complete group of honest and working validator nodes. Delegators play another crucial role in the block production process by **filtering** the pool of validator candidates for **honest, reliable validators**, who show steady performance over time. Also, delegator requirements are much **lower** than validator's, thus decreasing the entry barrier and allowing the wider community to participate in the block creation process. Besides, becoming a validator or delegator to participate in block production on peaq, users are **encouraged** to run a full node, in order to keep the network **decentralized** and **censorship-resistant**. ## What You Need * On-premises or Virtual Machine in the Cloud matching the requirements ([Hardware Requirements](/peaqchain/build/getting-started/connecting-to-peaq#node-hardware-requirements)) * A full node (synced with parachain and relay chain block history) * **Substrate** (SS58 format) account to stake funds and get rewards * Minimum staking balance to be included in the validator set `50,000 $PEAQ` * Session key validator-1 1. **Ensure** that you have a machine matching hardware requirements and an SS58 Substrate wallet with 50,000+ \$PEAQ tokens. 2. **Set up** a node. 3. **Generate** session key. 4. **Link** session key to validator account. 5. **Stake** tokens and join the validator candidates pool. 6. **Check** whether you were included in the active set.