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> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lium.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Nodes

A **node** is a GPU machine you connect to your provider so it can be rented out by Lium customers. A provider alone earns nothing — your score, emission, and rental revenue all come from the nodes you bring online.

## Pick your setup path

| Path | Best for | Time |
|------|----------|------|
| [**Quickstart with the `lium` CLI**](./quickstart.md) | Most providers — single command sets up the node end-to-end | ~5 min |
| [Confidential VM (CVM)](./cvm.md) | TDX-isolated nodes for sensitive customer workloads | Advanced |

## Required follow-ups

After the node is running, complete the setup:

- [**Docker storage setup**](./docker-storage.md) — required for GPU splitting today, and rolling out to every node soon. Migrates `/var/lib/docker` to an `overlay2` + `xfs` (`pquota`, `ftype=1`) backing.
- [**GPU splitting**](./gpu-splitting.md) — optional, lets a single node serve multiple customers at once.

## Operate your nodes

Day-to-day tasks (registering in the portal, updating prices, notice periods, deletion, troubleshooting) live under the [Provider Portal → Managing Nodes](../portal/managing-nodes.md) page.