Installing a Validator Node

An Elrond node requires a host (computer) with the aforementioned specifications, with the OS - preferably Ubuntu 18.04 - installed. First you will deploy the Elrond scripts, tune its parameters and ensure proper user permissions. Then you will install the node, backup its private keys and start it. Further steps include optional configurations, such as setting up monitoring.

Let's dig in.

Install your node(s)

After preparing the user permissions, the script configurations and the keys, the actual node installation can begin. The Validator script is a multi-purpose tool for managing your node. For installation use1 - install.

 ~/elrond-go-scripts-mainnet/script.sh
 1) install
 2) observing_squad
 3) upgrade
 4) upgrade_proxy
 5) upgrade_squad
 6) remove_db
 7) start
 8) stop
 9) cleanup
 10) github_pull
 11) get_logs
 12) quit
 Please select an action:1
  • When asked, indicate the number of nodes you want to run, i.e. 1
  • When asked, indicate the name for your validator, i.e. Valar
  • Quit the menu without starting (we need keys first) by using 12 - quit

Prepare your keys

Create a new folder "VALIDATOR_KEYS" to serve as local backup when updating:

cd ~
mkdir -p ~/VALIDATOR_KEYS

Generate a certificate file containing your Validator key by running the keygenerator :

./elrond-utils/keygenerator

Copy the generated validatorKey.pem file to the config folder of your node(s), repeat for each node.

cp validatorKey.pem ~/elrond-nodes/node-0/config/
tip

Each node needs its unique validatorKey.pem file

Then copy the validatorKey.pem file - in ZIP form - to the $HOME/VALIDATOR_KEYS/ folder . This is important for your node to be able to restart correctly after an upgrade.

zip node-0.zip validatorKey.pem
mv node-0.zip $HOME/VALIDATOR_KEYS/

Repeat the above for all your “n” nodes. When complete, please refer to our Key management section for instructions about how to properly backup and protect your keys.

Start the node(s)

~/elrond-go-scripts-mainnet/script.sh start

Start the node visual interface

Once the node has started, you can check how it’s doing, using the TermUI interface. Navigate to your $HOME/elrond-utils folder and start the TermUI , one for each of your nodes:

cd $HOME/elrond-utils
./termui -address localhost:8080
tip

Your first node is called node-0 and it its REST API will run on port 8080 by default. The next node is node-1on port 8081, and so on.

Update your node(s)

Upgrade your node by running the script and selecting options:

  • 10 - github_pull downloads the latest version of the scripts
  • 3 - upgrade
  • 7 - start
  • 12 - quit
~/elrond-go-scripts-mainnet/script.sh

Those are the basic steps. Please carefully read the on-screen instructions, refer to the scripts readme file and make sure to ask any questions in the Elrond Validators chat.

Mandatory: Backup your keys

Your private keys are needed to run your node. Losing them means losing control of your node. A 3rd party gaining access to them could result in lost funds.

Find them in $HOME/elrond-nodes/node-0/config [be mindful of your “n” nodes]

important

Create a safe backup for them on storage outside of the server running your node(s).

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