# How to Connect

Users can send transactions to the **Blockchain Distribution Network (BDN)** or stream transactions/blocks to their application using one of two options:

1. Gateway-API (Local Gateway)
2. Cloud-API

### Gateway-API

The Gateway-API connects directly to the user's node, ensuring fast propagation of both blocks and transactions. This method offers the lowest latency by providing a private entry point to the BDN.

To connect:

1. Follow the instructions to install the [Broken mention](broken://pages/-MIUlwVTVUwkFHWmTY6H).
2. Configure the node to peer with the Gateway-API.
3. Start sending transactions and streaming data.

### **Cloud-API**

The Cloud-API provides a fast way to send Ethereum transactions and subscribe to real-time Transaction Streaming and Block Streaming, without requiring a local Gateway installation.

To connect:

1. Use one of the available [Broken mention](broken://pages/-MTD6XHjXUH7E9yGcWdQ).
   1. Professional Endpoint: `api.blxrbdn.com`
   2. Enterprise Endpoint: `wss://<REGION>.<NETWORK>.blxrbdn.com/ws` (for improved speed)
2. Authenticate and start sending transactions or streaming data.

### Gateway-API vs Cloud-API

* Gateway-API is the best option for users seeking the lowest latency and highest performance.
* Cloud-API is a great alternative for users who do not want to install a Gateway but still need reliable access.
* For optimal performance, advanced users may combine both the Gateway-API and Cloud-API.


---

# 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.bloxroute.com/resources/guides/evm-blockchain-distribution-network-bdn/how-to-connect.md?ask=<question>
```

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.