Introduction

Getting started

This guide details the process of setting up a Bloxberg validator node using a Docker image.

Validator nodes play a crucial role in the Bloxberg blockchain by verifying transactions and contributing to the consensus mechanism.

System Requirements

• Operating System: Ubuntu 22.04 or later (Other OSes may be compatible with adjustments)
• CPU: Minimum 4 cores
• RAM: Minimum 4GB
• Storage: Recommended 250GB SSD (more for futureproofing)
• Firewall: Port 30303 open for communication with other nodes
• CPU Instruction Set: AES support (verify with cat /proc/cpuinfo for "aes" in flags)

Steps

Clone the Repository

• Access the server where you'll host the validator node.
• Utilize a Git client to clone the bloxberg-validator-node repository.

Configure the Validator

• Edit the docker-compose.yml file with a text editor (e.g., nano or vim).
• Locate the NATIP variable and replace it with your server's external IP address.
• Save the changes.

Set Validator Password

• Navigate to the src/validator-data directory.
• Open the validator/validator.pwd file using a text editor.
• Create a strong password to encrypt your private key.
• Save the password securely.

Initial Setup

• Navigate to the src/ directory.
• Execute the script with the command sudo ./setup.sh.

Start the Validator

• Return to the root directory (/) on the server.
• Run the command docker-compose up in the terminal.
• This initiates the Docker container and generates an Authority Address.

Register with Bloxberg Association

• Copy the Authority Address obtained in step 5.
• Provide this address to the Bloxberg Association for registration purposes.

Run the Validator in Background

• Terminate the currently running container by pressing Ctrl+C.
• To execute the validator in the background, use the command docker-compose up -d

Important Notes

• The specified system requirements represent minimums. Allocate more resources for optimal performance and stability
• Ports 8545 (JSON-RPC API) and 8546 (Web-Socket) are used for local interaction with the blockchain and do not necessitate internet exposure
• This guide assumes familiarity with working on the command line and editing text files

Additional Resources

• bloxberg-validator-node repository: https://github.com/bloxberg-org/bloxberg-validator-node