> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.asterizm.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.asterizm.io/infrastructure/overview.md).

# Overview

Components of Asterizm protocol

Asterizm secures cross-chain transactions with the [Asterizm Connector](/infrastructure/asterizm-connector.md), an on-chain module responsible for verifying the validity and integrity of cross-chain transactions. Additionally, it involves two independent off-chain entities: [Asterizm Relayers](/infrastructure/asterizm-relayer.md) and the [Client off-chain module](/infrastructure/client-off-chain-module.md), which are used for transmitting payloads and proofs.

<figure><img src="https://617807107-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FwQVWr0SwpsQAvHutQCC9%2Fuploads%2FA05pVAolXe4wA9VgRo4b%2FAsterizm%20Technology%20Overview%20scheme.png?alt=media&amp;token=cecfcea5-17a0-44ac-acfc-f4805ec2d895" alt=""><figcaption><p>Asterizm components</p></figcaption></figure>

* [Relayer servers](/infrastructure/asterizm-relayer.md) - transport layer for the cross-chain transaction proofs;
* [Client off-chain module](/infrastructure/client-off-chain-module.md) - transport layer for the cross-chain transaction data (payload) ensuring confidentiality;
* [Asterizm Connector](/infrastructure/asterizm-connector.md) - a key module responsible for checking the validity and integrity of cross-chain transactions.

{% hint style="info" %}
Asterizm is designed with the privacy of cross-chain transactions and infrastructure modularity at the core and is aimed to provide reliability, security, and low cost of cross-chain transactions.
{% endhint %}

The [Asterizm architecture](/what-is-asterizm/architecture.md) eliminates the necessity for maintaining a network of validators with off-chain consensus, which typically demands significantly more time and money to validate a transaction, as validation occurs off-chain.

In Asterizm, cross-chain transaction validation happens on-chain, which significantly speeds up transaction execution and reduces costs.