Blog/Article
The best servers for Solana RPC and Validator nodes
It's been a long time since Solana became one of the most important ecosystems in Web3. So it's not surprising that more and more people have been gravitating towards it to build their dApps and other DeFi Solutions.
All this growth inevitably places new demands on infrastructure, and running a Solana RPC or Validator node requires carefully selected hardware capable of meeting the network's high-performance requirements.
Here's what you need to know to ensure your setup is optimized and your Solana nodes don't fall behind.
Summary
Solana’s Rapid Growth and the Future of Web3
Web3 represents the shift toward a more decentralized internet, where users control their data and value flows without intermediaries. Solana has positioned itself at the center of this transition thanks to its focus on speed and scalability.
With throughput reaching thousands of transactions per second, block times under half a second, and finality typically within a few seconds, Solana has proven it can handle workloads that would cripple other well-established blockchains.
This performance is why major DeFi protocols, NFT platforms, and Web3 startups are choosing Solana. For anyone looking to participate in the ecosystem, whether by running a Validator node to help secure the network or by operating an RPC node to provide fast access for applications, infrastructure becomes a key decision point.
The network will continue to grow, so handling the requirements for reliable, high-performance servers is key to keeping up with it.
What Solana RPC and Validator Nodes Require
Running Solana nodes isn’t like running a simple web server. The demands are significantly higher, and understanding them is crucial to choosing the proper infrastructure.
RPC Nodes
RPC (Remote Procedure Call) nodes act as the gateway between decentralized applications and the Solana blockchain. They process queries from wallets, dApps, and explorers, providing real-time data on accounts, transactions, and the state of the network.
For RPC nodes, speed and reliability are paramount. A slow node leads to degraded user experiences. Can you imagine waiting several seconds for a wallet to confirm a transaction or for an NFT marketplace to load?
To meet these demands, RPC nodes require:
High I/O performance to handle large volumes of requests.
Fast storage (NVMe SSDs) to manage Solana’s massive ledger efficiently.
High network bandwidth to avoid bottlenecks when handling simultaneous queries.
Validator Nodes
Validator nodes are the backbone of Solana’s security. They participate in consensus by validating transactions and producing blocks. Any delay or downtime can mean missed opportunities to participate in consensus and lost rewards.
For validators, performance requirements are even more demanding:
High-frequency multi-core CPUs, since Solana's Proof of History (PoH) benefits from fast clock speeds, while parallel transaction processing demands multiple cores.
High memory capacity to manage the blockchain state and transaction history.
Low-latency networking to ensure that blocks are produced and validated in sync with the rest of the network.
The takeaway is clear: both RPC and Validator nodes need servers with high-performance hardware, global reach, and predictable networking. This is where Latitude.sh stands out.
Why Latitude.sh is the Best Choice for Solana Nodes
Latitude.sh has built a platform optimized explicitly for blockchain infrastructure, with a proven track record of powering Solana’s fastest nodes.
Here’s what sets Latitude.sh apart:
Optimized Hardware for Blockchain Workloads
Solana’s architecture places unique demands on servers. Latitude.sh offers high-frequency multi-core CPUs, NVMe storage for ultra-fast data access, and generous amounts of memory to handle blockchain growth. This ensures that both RPC and Validator nodes can run without falling behind.
Low Latency, High Bandwidth Global Network
With data centers across North America, Europe, South America, and the Asia-Pacific region, Latitude.sh provides a global backbone optimized for low-latency connectivity. Each instance comes with 20TB of free egress that can be pooled with other servers, making it easier to manage bandwidth costs while ensuring your node can serve requests reliably.
Proven Reliability for Solana
Latitude.sh has a direct track record with Solana. Our infrastructure powers some of the fastest Solana nodes running today. This credibility matters when choosing a partner for mission-critical workloads.
Privacy and Security by Default
When operating in Web3, security is everything. Latitude.sh provides single-tenant bare metal deployments, giving you complete control over your hardware. Combined with robust network policies, private networking options, and DDoS mitigation, you get the security you need without compromising performance.
Simple, Fast Deployment
One of the challenges of running Solana infrastructure is the time required to set it up. Latitude.sh makes deployment easy with an API-driven approach that lets you provision a bare metal server in seconds. Whether you’re launching your first RPC node or scaling out a network of validators, Latitude.sh reduces complexity so you can focus on your application.
So, what are the best servers for running Solana RPC and Validator Nodes?
Here are some of the top configurations available on Latitude.sh:
f4.metal.large — Starting at $776.33/mo
CPU: AMD 9275F, 24 Cores @ 4.1 GHz
RAM: 768 GB
Storage: 2 × 480GB NVMe + 2 × 3.8TB NVMe
Network: 2 × 100Gbps
f4.metal.medium — Starting at $389.92/mo
CPU: AMD 4564P, 16 Cores @ 4.5 GHz
RAM: 192 GB
Storage: 2 × 480GB NVMe + 2 × 1.9TB NVMe
Network: 2 × 10Gbps
rs4.metal.large — Starting at $805/mo
CPU: AMD 9354P, 32 Cores @ 3.25 GHz
RAM: 768 GB
Storage: 2 × 480GB NVMe + 2 × 8TB NVMe
Network: 2 × 100Gbps
For optimal performance, we recommend storing accounts and ledger data on separate NVMe drives. The instances highlighted above include multiple drives to support this best practice.
Each of these servers was designed to handle Solana's high-performance workload. The f4.metal.large and rs4.metal.large configurations with 100Gbps networking are ideal for high-traffic mainnet validators and RPC nodes, respectively, while the f4.metal.medium offers a cost-effective entry point for testnet validators or lighter workloads.
If you’re serious about running the best-performing Solana nodes, Latitude.sh has the servers to get you there. You can sign up for free right now and spin up your new instances in just a few seconds.
FAQ
Do I need special hardware to run a Solana Validator or RPC node?
Yes. Solana has much higher performance requirements than most blockchains. Validator nodes demand high-frequency multi-core CPUs, large amounts of RAM, and high-bandwidth networking, while RPC nodes need ultra-fast NVMe storage and reliable connectivity to handle massive volumes of requests.
Why choose bare metal servers over public cloud instances?
Bare metal servers give you dedicated hardware with no noisy neighbors, ensuring consistent performance. Unlike shared virtualized environments, bare metal is ideal for Solana workloads where latency, throughput, and I/O speed are critical.
How quickly can I deploy a Solana node with Latitude.sh?
With Latitude.sh, you can provision a bare metal server in just a few seconds using our API, CLI, or dashboard. This means you can go from signup to running your Solana Validator or RPC node faster than with traditional hosting providers.