# The Indexer

Central to Aethir’s network, the Indexer matches consumers with suitable Containers, ensuring a swift launch of cloud-based apps & services. The goal is to deliver a “second on” service - the transition from a consumer’s request to the actual delivery (e.g., a player making a request to a game screen) should occur in the shortest possible time. This requires succinct signaling and efficient scheduling. 

Scheduling Considerations:  

* Container Status: Must be in Standby state.  
* Service Deployment: The cloud services should be pre-installed in the container.  
* Resource Requirements: The container’s specifications must meet the hardware and network demands of the cloud services.  
* Latency: The distance between the container and the consumer or enterprise should fall within acceptable latency limits.  
* Service Fee: The container’s fee should not exceed the developer's budget.  

Selection Criteria: The Indexer prioritizes containers based on lowest service fee, best experience, or the best overall evaluation index.  

Decentralization and Fraud Prevention: To maintain decentralization and enhance user experience, Indexers are selected randomly. This approach helps mitigate potential fraud risks and minimizes signaling delays due to protocol complexity.