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Epoch

This section explains the concept of an epoch in the NEAR Protocol, which is a unit of time when validators of the network remain constant. It describes how epochs are measured, their duration, and their significance in the network's operation.

An epoch is a unit of time when validators of the network remain constant. It is measured in blocks:

  • Both testnet and mainnet have an epoch duration of 43,200 blocks. Ideally epochs last 7.2 hours, since blocks are created every 0.6 seconds (in reality, they can take slightly shorter or longer to be created).
  • You can view this setting by querying the protocol_config RPC endpoint and searching for epoch_length.

Note: Nodes garbage collect blocks after 5 epochs (~1.5 days) unless they are archival nodes.

Example:

{
  "jsonrpc": "2.0",
  "id": "dontcare",
  "method": "EXPERIMENTAL_protocol_config",
  "params": {
    "finality": "final"
  }
}

Example Response:

{
    "jsonrpc": "2.0",
    "result": {
        "protocol_version": 44,
        "genesis_time": "2020-07-21T16:55:51.591948Z",
        "chain_id": "mainnet",
        "genesis_height": 9820210,
        "num_block_producer_seats": 100,
        "num_block_producer_seats_per_shard": [
            100
        ],
        "avg_hidden_validator_seats_per_shard": [
            0
        ],
        "dynamic_resharding": false,
        "protocol_upgrade_stake_threshold": [
            4,
            5
        ],
        "epoch_length": 43200,
        "gas_limit": 1000000000000000,
        "min_gas_price": "1000000000",
        "max_gas_price": "10000000000000000000000",
        "block_producer_kickout_threshold": 90,
        "chunk_producer_kickout_threshold": 90,

// ---- snip ----
}

You can learn more about how epochs are used to manage network validation in the Validator FAQ.

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