# Components

There are two core components of the FastLane protocol that are designed to work in parallel: the **FastLane Node** and the **FastLane Auction Handler**.

The **FastLane Node** is infrastructure that acts as an “auctioneer.” It starts auctions, listens for bids, determines when bidding is over, and then sets the winners.  It is a modified Polygon node and acts as the endpoint of the FastLane relay. 

The **FastLane Auction Handler** is a smart contract that acts as an “auction cashier.” It collects the bid amount from the auction’s winner, offers the item to the “runner up” if the winner didn’t pay, and assigns the auction proceeds to the correct validator.