# Validating Overview To expedite your journey of becoming a Testnet validator, we've created a series of tutorial videos to get your node up and running in no time. {% embed url="" %} Part I {% endembed %} {% embed url="" %} Part II {% endembed %} {% embed url="" %} Part III {% endembed %} ### Node roles In the Aleph network, a node can have one of the two roles: * an **archivist**, who only stores the blocks and can respond to queries about the network state * a **validator**, who actively participates in the consensus and is tasked with producing new blocks. Validators can be staked upon and receive rewards for their efforts. ### Networks There are two networks, each with a different purpose: * Aleph Zero **Mainnet**: as the name suggests, this is the main network where the actual AZERO token is involved. * Aleph Zero **Testnet**: the protocol and mechanisms are the same as on the Mainnet but the token is TZERO, which is available from [the faucet](https://faucet.test.azero.dev/), so users can freely experiment and test their setups. ### Steps you need to take We recommend setting up a Testnet node before you start running on Mainnet to make sure you're familiar with the process and your hardware and setup are ok. 1. To become a validator on the Testnet, you'll need to follow these guides: 1. [Getting and running Aleph Node on your machine](broken://pages/1NA2eerNZlwZ4SEczRpR) 2. [Making the node validate](broken://pages/kvDaLNpLL5Dtjya6F17s) 3. [Setting your on-chain identity](broken://pages/72xDUrJGCmaTWhCuLmGG) 4. [Securing your validator](broken://pages/lG873fLJnf4fFvCTCYEQ) 2. Once you're ready to become a validator on the Mainnet, you will need to: 1. [Run another instance of Aleph Node](/aleph-zero/use/validate/running-an-aleph-node-on-mainnet.md) (with slight configuration changes for Mainnet) 2. Bond the minimum required amount and repeat [step 1.2](/aleph-zero/use/validate/making-the-node-validate.md) for your Mainnet validator. If you want to keep track of your validator, you can set up a Telegram bot. This bot will help you stay updated in case block production is hindered and more. See the [page](/aleph-zero/use/telegram-notifications.md) for more details. The next chapter contains the hardware requirements for running a node on your own machine or in the cloud. --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.alephzero.org/aleph-zero/use/validate/validating-overview.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.