> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://cvnnt.gitbook.io/documentation/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://cvnnt.gitbook.io/documentation/system-architecture/governance/system-nodes/node-rotation/validation-epoch.md).

# Validation epoch

To provide decentralization, a group of master nodes (Validators, Collators) operates for one epoch.

Epoch is a specified number of blocks (block height) of blockchain network. Epoch parameters vary individually for Covenant system and for each of cross-chain integrations.