# Introducing Fastblocks
Fastblocks ([fastblocks.io](https://www.fastblocks.io/)) is revolutionizing the way users interact with IoTeX products by providing a streamlined platform for effortless node application services. Offering a comprehensive solution for rapid creation and management of nodes, such as Delegate Node and W3bstream Node, Fastblocks is the go-to resource for IoTeX users seeking simplicity and efficiency. In addition, Fastblocks expands its value proposition by providing free tool applications like the AI content generation tool, further facilitating user interaction with IoTeX products. With a commitment to continuous improvement, Fastblocks consistently introduces new features to ensure an increasingly convenient and intelligent service system for users. Whether you're a seasoned blockchain developer or a novice in the decentralized world, Fastblocks stands as a powerful ally in your journey with IoTeX.
The platform also provides an application programming interface (API) to query blockchain data and facilitate the operations related to the development of dApps (*decentralized applications*).
### Fastblocks services include:
#### **1、IoTeX Delegate/Full Node Service**
Fastblocks, leveraging its advanced PaaS (Platform as a Service) architecture, simplifies the creation and management of IoTeX nodes. The challenges often encountered while building nodes, such as environmental consistency, security, network speed, and storage space, are effectively addressed by Fastblocks. Utilizing a dynamic, scalable, and microservice-driven architecture, it provides dedicated and resilient IoTeX nodes tailored to the specific needs of users. Through a user-friendly interface at fastblocks.io, users can quickly set up an IoTeX Delegate or Full node, thereby achieving superior blockchain access and performance.
**What is the difference between delegate and full jie nodes？**A Delegate is part of the network of nodes that are used to achieve consensus. A full node is a node that has a complete ledger of transaction data on IoTeX network and has the ability to independently verify the validity of transactions.
#### **2、W3bstream Node Service**
Expanding beyond IoTeX, Fastblocks has now incorporated the creation and management of W3bstream nodes into its services. Powered by cloud computing and microservices, Fastblocks assures users of resource elasticity and service agility.Tasks like downloading docker-compose or installing W3bstream are no longer a concern for users. With a simple login at Fastblocks.io, anyone can effortlessly establish their own W3bstream node.
**What is w3bstream Node service?**[W3bStream](https://w3bstream.com/) is a general framework for connecting data generated by devices and machines in the physical world to the blockchain world.Efficiently connect Smart Devices to smart Contracts by establishing a suite of web3 services for decentralized infra, and foster the expansion and development of the entire web3 sector.
### Fastblocks feature include:
1. User-Friendly Node Management: Fastblocks offers an intuitive platform for users to swiftly create and manage various nodes, such as IoTeX Delegate/Full Node and W3bstream Node. The interface at fastblocks.io simplifies these operations, allowing users to quickly establish nodes without worrying about intricate technical details.
2. Dedicated and Scalable Architecture: Built on a dynamic, scalable, and microservice-driven architecture, Fastblocks provides dedicated nodes tailored to users' specific needs. This architecture ensures high performance and adaptability, catering to the growing demands of blockchain applications.
3. Resource Elasticity and Service Agility: Thanks to its cloud computing infrastructure, Fastblocks offers significant resource elasticity, allowing for optimal usage of computational resources. Additionally, the use of microservices ensures service agility, facilitating quick updates and maintenance of the nodes without interrupting the user's operations.
4. Robust Security Measures: Fastblocks highly prioritizes the security of user data and services. It provides independent isolation for each user's service node and employs data encryption measures. Furthermore, Fastblocks also undertakes regular updates and maintenance to ensure the stable operation and safety of the nodes.
# Create A Node
## Creating a Node
To use the *Fastblocks* service, you need to register an account by clicking [**here**](https://www.fastblocks.io/login)**.** Remember to save your **username** and **password** as they will be needed when you'll first access your IoTeX node. Once you have registered and logged-in, click on "[**Create Node**](https://fastblocks.io/product)" to configure your node. You can select *Network*, *Region*, *Client* and *Sync Mode*.
### Node Configuration
Next, in order to finalize the node configuration process, you'll need to complete the following 3-step operation:**Select Node Type - Define Node Details - Confirm.**
**Step 1. Select Node Type**
There are two parts that need to be configured in this step: the "*Node Type*" and the "*Machine Type*".
**Node Type:**
When selecting a *Node Type*, you can choose between a *Delegate Node* and a *Full Node*:
**Delegate Node(consensus):** A Delegate is part of the network of nodes that are used to achieve consensus. The top 36 voted Delegates are responsible for transaction verification and block production, and will be rewarded with ***iotx*** tokens. Should you decide to select *Delegate Node*, remember to first visit to register.
**Full Node(non-consensus):** A full node is a node that has a complete ledger of transaction data on IoTeX network and has the ability to independently verify the validity of transactions.
**Machine Type:** Machine Type is a set of virtualized hardware resources available to a virtual machine (VM) instance, including the system memory size, vCPU count (total count of virtual CPU core on machine), and persistent disk limits.
Current Generation:
CPU: 2C | Memory: 4G | Storage: 500G
**Step 2. Define Node Details**
Configure your node properties, such as network type, availability zone, etc.
**Network Type:**
IoTeX Mainnet and Testnet are two separate networks that operate independently from one another.The mainnet is responsible for executing actual transactions within the network and storing them in the blockchain for public use.The testnet is a blockchain network used to run and test blockchains as well as various blockchain projects before release.
|
|
| IoTeX Tokens | Posses real value | No monetary value |
| Transactions frequency | High | Low |
| Mining | Possible to earn rewards | Not possible |
**Delegate Name**: A public-facing "user-friendly" name for your delegate. Please use the same delegate name that you used to register on .
**Operator Private Key:** This should be the private key of the *Operator Address* which is used for the actual node software running on your node servers. It is generated as 64 random hex characters,
e.g: 90bf89cd944df5c6d8281b132783277c1760537809c534fc54dda34c4edfb4f4.
* **Owner Address:** This is an address held by the node owner.
* **Operator Address:** This is the address representing the node's *right of operation.* Operators holding this address can be allowed to execute related operations while the node is running. **Note:** The ownership of this node still belongs to the **Owner Address** holder.
*We advise using an Operator Address that is different from the Node Owner Address to avoid security risks.*
**Enable API Serving:** *Enable API Serving* refers to a node with gateway plugin enabled, and it will perform extra indexing to the server as well as API requests for more detailed chain information, such as number of actions in a block or query actions by hash.
**Zone:** IoTeX nodes servers can be deployed in various regions around the world. You can select the zone that best fits your deployment needs.
**Step 3. Confirm**
This is a final step to ensure that the IoTeX Node information provided is correct before confirming your purchase. Click on the "**Continue to pay**" button to finalize your purchase using STRIPE.
**Auto Update:** It is recommended to turn on automatic updates to allow *Fastblocks* to automatically update your node to the latest available version.
### Payment
After configuring the *Fastblocks* node and clicking on the "**Continue to pay**" button, you'll be redirected to the payment page where you can complete your purchase (the URL is checkout.stripe.com). Select your payment option and fill out the relevant information. When you're ready, click on the "**Subscribe**" button to complete the payment operation.
After a successful subscription, the page will show the *Fastblocks* payment callback modal, which will prompt a "*Purchased Successfully!*" message, as well as your "*Instance ID*". You can always click on "*My Instances*" to have an overview of the instances you've created. If your *Instance ID* is followed by the green *Success* tag, it means that the node you've configured is being created.
## FAQ
### How to confirm the instance is running successfully?
Select "*Instances*" on the left nav menu to enter the [instance information ](https://www.fastblocks.io/instance)[page](https://www.fastblocks.io/instance), which will give you an overview of all the instances you've created. By default, the latest node you've purchased will be shown first. In case of a newly configured node, it will show as "***Initializing***", meaning that all the data on the IoTeX chain is being synchronized. This process can take up to 1 hour, due to the large amount of data that needs to be processed. Once the data synchronization has been completed, the status of your node will switch to "***Running***".You can use the "*Refresh*" button in the upper right corner of the page to see the status update. When the status updates to "***Running***", it indicates that the node is running smoothly. At this point you'll be able to see more information about your node such as *Height* (the block number), *RPC URL* (RPC protocol interface call), *Node Version*, etc.
### How to see all the information of an instance?
Click the left "*Instances*" button in the nav menu to enter [the instance information page](https://www.fastblocks.io/instance), and then click the icon in the upper right corner of the page to switch to "Row Display" mode.
At this time, you will see a new icon in the upper right corner again, click it and checkmark the details you'd like to be displayed about each instance.
# Manage A Node
## Node Upgrade
When creating a node, the "*Auto Update*" feature is enabled by default. Each of your instances will display both the current version of your node and the status of the "*Auto Update*" feature.
If "*Auto Update*" is ***ON***, *Fastblocks* will automatically perform upgrades when a new version of IoTeX is released. You'll receive an "Automatic Upgrade Completed" confirmation email after each upgrade.
If "*Auto Update*" is ***OFF***, you won't be able to enjoy the auto update service. (No worries, you can turn it back ***ON*** at any time).
## Terminate Node
If you no longer wish to use a *Fastblocks* node and would like to cancel your subscription, simply select the "*Orders*" button on the left navigation menu, where you'll be able to see all the information pertaining to your orders. Once you've identified the order you'd like to delete, you should double-check that its *Instance ID* is indeed the correct one.
You can simply click on "*node details*" and the following modal will appear.
After confirming that the *Instance ID* is correct, you can close the "*Node Package Details*" window, and then click "*Terminate Node*" on the corresponding order.
The page will prompt a new modal called "*Terminate Node Package*". To confirm that you wish to unsubscribe and delete this instance, you can click "*Yes*", otherwise click "*Cancel*".
**Note: Terminated node packages cannot be recovered!** If you want to reuse these node packages, **you'd have to buy them again.**
# Create W3bstream
Fastblocks provide users with a platform to easily create and manage W3bstream service.
At Fastblocks, we adopt cloud computing and microservices as our infrastructure, allowing users to fully enjoy resource elasticity and service agility. No longer will you need to worry about how to download docker-compose or how to install W3bstream. With a simple login at [Fastblocks.io](http://fastblocks.io/), you can easily create your own W3bstream!
Here's how you can create your own w3bstream node via Fastblocks.
**Register and Login**
First off, you need to register and login at fastblocks.io. It's like any other website; you fill in your email, set a password, and then validate it through your email.
**Create a New Service**
Once you've logged in, you'll see a button of "Create Service" on the main page. Click on it and you'll see a range of services, but the one we're looking for here is the "W3bstream Service". Once you've found it, click "Continue" to proceed.
**Name Your Service**
On the "Define Service Details" page, please enter your preferred name in the "Service Name" field. Take a moment to review the remaining server setup options, and once you are ready, click on "Continue" to proceed.
**Confirm Payment**
Now, you'll be directed to the payment confirmation page. Check everything carefully and if all the information is correct, then hit "Confirm Payment". Just like that, you have your own w3bstream service.
**Monitor Your Service**
After creating the service, you can see your instance information under the path "Service->W3b Service". Initially, it may still be in the process of getting ready, but don't worry, just wait a bit and the status will change to "running".
**Access Your Service**
When the instance status turns to "running", you can access your w3bstream service by clicking on "domain\_name".
So all in all, creating a w3bstream service on fastblocks.io isn't complex at all. It only takes a few steps to get it done.
# Manage W3bstream
## **View Node Information**
Managing your W3bstream service on Fastblocks is an intuitive process. Here is a detailed guide on how to do so.
**Step 1: Log in and access your W3bstream service**
First, you need to log in to Fastblocks.
Once logged in, you'll find an option called "Service" in the console. In this drop-down menu, choose "W3b Service".
This will open a page listing all of your w3bstream instances. You can manage these instances on this page. On this page, each instance will have its basic information, including:
"Service Name": This is the name of your service.
"Domain Name": This is the link to access your W3bstream Studio. Clicking the corresponding domain will take you to the W3bstream management console.
"Zone": This indicates the geographical location and availability zone where the W3bstream service was created.
**Step 2: View details of W3bstream instances**
In the W3bstream services list, choose the node card you wish to view.
Click on the "Details" button on this card, and you can enter the detailed information page of this instance.
On this page, you can see specific service information included in W3bstream, which may consist of W3bstream, Redis, PostgreSql, Mosquitto, and Prometheus.
This guide should help you to better understand and use your W3bstream service on Fastblocks.
## **Delete Node**
Deleting your W3bstream node on Fastblocks is a straightforward process. Here are the specific steps.
**Step 1: Unsubscribe from the W3bstream node**
In the console, click on the "Orders" option and then select "W3b Orders". On this page, you need to find the W3bstream node subscription order you wish to cancel，and click on the button of "Terminate Service". You should know that the corresponding w3bstream instance will also be deleted once you unsubscribe this order successfully.
Confirm your choice in the “Terminate Service” dialog box. As soon as you click “Yes”, your subscription order will be cancelled, and the corresponding W3bstream instance will also be deleted.
**Step 2: Confirm instance deletion**
You can check the status of the order on the "W3b Orders" page to confirm whether the instance deletion has been completed. If deletion was successful, the status of the corresponding order will show as “Terminated”.
You can click on the “Details” button to access "Service Details" page to further check the status of the instance. If the instance has been successfully deleted, the status here will be shown as “Deleted”.
These are the complete steps for deleting a W3bstream node. At any time, if you no longer need a certain W3bstream node, you can follow these steps to unsubscribe from it and delete it.
# Generate Delegate by AI
Fastblocks has launched a new AI tool . The purpose of this tool is to facilitate the registration of Delegate nodes, thereby enhancing user experience significantly.
In the past, users were required to provide a plethora of information while registering a Delegate node, such as Delegate name, Delegate bio, logo, and banner. However, this process could become tedious and time-consuming due to the vast amount of data needed.
Now, with the help of Fastblocks' AI Info Generator tool, users only need to provide a few key pieces of information, and the system will generate all the other required information automatically. This greatly improves the efficiency of users during the registration process.
To use the Fastblocks' AI Info Generator tool, follow these steps:
Log on to Fastblocks at: [https://www.fastblocks.io](https://www.fastblocks.io/)
Choose the "AI Info Generator" option from the toolbar
Input the keyword information of the Delegate you wish to create into the tool
Click the "Generate" button
The system will then generate a new set of Delegate information based on the keywords entered. If you are satisfied with the results, you can copy and paste these details into the Delegate registration form; if not, you can click the "refresh" button to regenerate.
The launch of Fastblocks' AI Info Generator tool marks another significant step in optimizing user experience. We firmly believe that this tool will bring revolutionary changes to the registration of Delegate nodes.
That's all about how to use Fastblocks' AI Info Generator tool. We sincerely welcome each user to try it and look forward to your valuable comments and suggestions.
# Support
Thank you for choosing our products! For any questions or suggestions you might have, feel free to contact us at [support@fastblocks.io](mailto:support@fastblosks.io).