# Running a Gateway

The **bloXroute Gateway** is open-source software that connects to the **Blockchain Distribution Network (BDN)**, giving users high-performance access to blockchain data and transaction propagation.

A Gateway enables two key capabilities:

* **Fast transaction submission** into the BDN
* **Real-time streaming** of blocks and transactions from the BDN

Gateways are typically deployed alongside a full blockchain node, using the node’s native peer-to-peer protocol (e.g., Ethereum’s devp2p). However, **Enterprise-tier clients** may run a Gateway **without operating their own node**, instead connecting through a remote proxy maintained by bloXroute.

Note that Gateways do **not** validate chain state or store blockchain data. They serve purely as a communication layer between your infrastructure and the BDN.

#### **What You'll Find in This Section**

This section explains how to run a bloXroute Gateway, including:

* **Supported Clients** – Which blockchain nodes and networks are compatible
* **Requirements** – Hardware, bandwidth, and latency expectations
* **Authentication** – API keys and certificates required for BDN access
* **Installation** – Deploying via GitHub or Docker
* **Configuration & Startup** – Connecting your Gateway to the BDN and (optionally) your full node
* **Operation & Maintenance** – Monitoring, logs, upgrades, and best practices