Meet extrnode's Public Load Balancer Created to Save Solana's RPC Layer
Published: 2022-12-28 15:02:36

Solana blockchain remains strong, and [Everstake](https://everstake.one/) helps developers make it easier to create and maintain new products. 

Today, we are excited to announce the release of [extrnode's public load balancer](https://extrnode.com/), a tool that automatically reroutes requests between RPC nodes. This public version differs from the open-source version and can be used for real-world applications. If you try it out, please remember to leave your feedback on [Discord](https://discord.gg/PqrbhKNpA5) and [Twitter](https://twitter.com/everstake_pool).

**What is extrnode's Public Load Balancer?**

Many decentralized applications (dApps) connect to a few major RPC node providers, which host the nodes on the same servers. If there are issues with these hosting providers or the nodes, the dApps may lose their connection to the blockchain and stop functioning.

Before November, when Hetzner ceased operation of Solana nodes, we had already begun working on extrnode. This caused some of our friends' dApps to malfunction, and some were unaware that the cause was the RPC nodes being offline. The Hetzner incident only further fuelled our determination to quickly introduce extrnode's public load balancer and offer Solana developers a dependable method of interacting with the blockchain.

To address the need for a way to seamlessly switch to a backup RPC node in the event of issues with the primary node, the Everstake team created the extrnode's public load balancer. This tool automatically redirects application requests to a functioning RPC node from a large group of options, providing a reliable solution for maintaining continuity of service.

**What's the Difference Between Public and Open-source Load Balancers?**

The extrnode's open-source load balancer was initially designed for testing and could only be run on a local machine in Docker.

It allowed users to connect to public RPC nodes, but was not intended for production use. In contrast, extrnode's public load balancer is more user-friendly, reliable, and free to use. It can be easily accessed by replacing the current RPC endpoint URL with [https://solana-mainnet.rpc.extrnode.com/](https://solana-mainnet.rpc.extrnode.com). 

extrnode's public load balancer includes a cluster of over 30 Solana RPC endpoints and is supported by RPC nodes run by Everstake, 01node, Chainstack, and Stakin. 

In exchange for using the service, extrnode only asks for feedback to help improve the service. For more heavy-duty needs, the extrnode Premium service is in development and will be able to meet the demands of your dApps. Until then, you can try out the extrnode's public load balancer.

**How to Test extrnode's Public Load Balancer**

Here is a brief tutorial on how to use extrnode's public load balancer with your dApp. Here are the steps:

1. Copy the endpoint URL of extrnode – [https://solana-mainnet.rpc.extrnode.com/](https://solana-mainnet.rpc.extrnode.com).
2. Paste it into the configuration of your dApp.
3. That's it. Your dApp is now connected to a cluster of over 30 Solana public RPC nodes through the extrnode's load balancer. Suppose the node you are currently connected to experiences any issues. In that case, the load balancer will automatically redirect requests to a different node from the cluster, ensuring a seamless experience for users.


![Image description](https://dev-to-uploads.s3.amazonaws.com/uploads/articles/7fp9akzfod4ratxnu0kv.png)

You can also try extrnode's public load balancer as a regular user. The Solflare wallet, for example, can be set to use the endpoint as a custom network.

Feel free to try it out and provide feedback on [Discord](https://discord.gg/PqrbhKNpA5) or [Twitter](https://twitter.com/everstake_pool). Your feedback will help extrnode continue to improve and provide even better service.