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Validator v0.2.1 Installation

48min
How To Setup a Xandeum DevNet Validator
NOTE: This guide shows commands for text editors nano and vim. A quick search can find a guide or video to operate these text editors more efficiently and make your life easier.
NOTE: If you previously set up your validator on v0.1 or v0.2 then you don't need to complete these steps and can follow the Version Upgrade v0.2.1﻿ instead!
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1) Update and setup our user
Start with a fresh instance of Linux as the root user. 
These instructions use Ubuntu Server 22.04.2LTS﻿
BEFORE YOU CONTINUE!
Make sure you see your entire drive space as available!
Use df -h to see your free space. You want to see that you have all your space in a free partition. Ubuntu will want to default to 100g LVM. The preferance is to eliminate LVM and Raid and use all available space for your / mount point. If you don't show all your disk space, run the Ubuntu installer again and pay attention to the storage section.
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Get root user
Run as sudo or root user. If you don't have access to the root user, then you will need to prepend all your requests in this section with sudo. 
Notice in the screenshot below I start as user xand change to root user then back to xand. 
Root user has ALL the privledges and won't require sudo. But some items NEED to be ran as the xand user (ie rust install, validator build, etc)
Use sudo -i to change to root user and exit to end root user
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Update your installation
CLI
sudo apt-get update -y && 
sudo apt-get upgrade -y
sudo apt-get update -y && 
sudo apt-get upgrade -y
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Install a few apps
CLI
sudo apt install -y bzip2 vnstat
sudo apt install -y bzip2 vnstat
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CLI
sudo systemctl enable --now vnstat
sudo systemctl enable --now vnstat
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Create Xandeum Validator User Account
Skip creating a user if you already have it
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CLI
sudo adduser xand
sudo adduser xand
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Enter a password and accept defaults to the following questions:
New password:
 Retype new password:
 passwd: password updated successfully
 Changing the user information for xand
 Enter the new value, or press ENTER for the default
        Full Name []:
        Room Number []:
        Work Phone []:
        Home Phone []:
        Other []:
Is the information correct? [Y/n] y
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Add new user to sudo group
CLI
sudo usermod -aG sudo xand
sudo usermod -aG sudo xand
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Change to the Xandeum User account
CLI
su xand
su xand
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Switch the Xand home directory. 
NOTE: If you log in as root and switch to xand it will bring you into the /root dir!
So use cd ~ to get to home dir each time you log in!
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CLI
cd ~
cd ~
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Test switching between root user and xand user
Note: When you are root user, your line starts with root and when you are xand user the line starts with xand
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CLI
sudo -i
sudo -i
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CLI
exit
exit
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2) Choose which release you want to install
Go to the Xandeum Binaries repo and download the tar.bz2 file to your server.
This guide is using version v0.2.1
You can right-click on the file name to copy the download link.
https://github.com/Xandeum/binaries/releases﻿
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CLI
cd ~
wget https://github.com/Xandeum/binaries/releases/download/v0.2.1/xand-v0.2.1.tar.bz2
cd ~
wget https://github.com/Xandeum/binaries/releases/download/v0.2.1/xand-v0.2.1.tar.bz2
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Create the needed bin folder
(Do not create the active_release folder as before...this will be a symbolic link only)
CLI
mkdir ~/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/v0.2.1/bin -p
mkdir ~/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/v0.2.1/bin -p
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Extract the file into the new bin dir
CLI
cd ~
tar -xf xand-v0.2.1.tar.bz2 --directory ~/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/v0.2.1/bin
cd ~
tar -xf xand-v0.2.1.tar.bz2 --directory ~/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/v0.2.1/bin
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Test a binary by running it in the local folder
CLI
cd ~/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/v0.2.1/bin
cd ~/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/v0.2.1/bin
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CLI
./xandeum-validator -V
./xandeum-validator -V
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Set our symlink, PATH, and some convenient aliases
Set a symlink from our new release to the active_release folder we will use in our $PATH later. (This command removes an old symlink to active_release if it exists)
Note the subtle difference in not using trailing /.... It will affect the $PATH
CLI
rm /home/xand/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/active_release;
ln -sf /home/xand/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/v0.2.1/bin /home/xand/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/active_release
rm /home/xand/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/active_release;
ln -sf /home/xand/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/v0.2.1/bin /home/xand/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/active_release
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Backup the old $PATH for reference.
CLI
echo $PATH >> ~/PATH.bak
echo $PATH >> ~/PATH.bak
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Using your favorite editor to open the bashrc config:
nano
vim
vim ~/.bashrc
vim ~/.bashrc
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Add the following lines at the very bottom and save your changes and exit.
(remove the old lines from the previous install)﻿
text
export PATH="/home/xand/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/active_release:$PATH"
alias l="ls -a --color=auto"
alias ll="ls -alh --color=auto"
alias xv="xandeum validators --sort skip-rate --reverse"
alias xg="xandeum gossip"
alias xe="xandeum epoch-info"
alias xb="xandeum balance"
export PATH="/home/xand/.local/share/xandeum/install/releases/active_release:$PATH"
alias l="ls -a --color=auto"
alias ll="ls -alh --color=auto"
alias xv="xandeum validators --sort skip-rate --reverse"
alias xg="xandeum gossip"
alias xe="xandeum epoch-info"
alias xb="xandeum balance"
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Fully exit all shells and come back in. (exit or reboot)
Check your Install of the software
After logging back in as xand user, time to test if everything worked.
Check Xandeum Software Version:
CLI
cd ~
xandeum -V
cd ~
xandeum -V
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Results should appear simlar to the following
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3) Configure your validator instance.
Please observe proper security of your private keys! 

MainNet Keys should be created on a secure machine, not an unknown remote machine.
Record your 12 words (and bip39 passphrase) in a safe spot. For DevNet it's not critical if you lose them...but if on MainNet, losing the keys equals LOST FUNDS. There is no recovering from lost keys.
For MainNet, your withdraw authority key should never be on your machine!
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Generate your 3 DevNet keys.
NOTE: If you already have created keys on this machine from the previous install, 
DON'T CREATE NEW ONES!
Skip to Switch to Xandeum Cluster instead.
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You can leave the  bip39 passphrase empty (only applies to DevNet/TesNet since it is not real money).
Your 12 words and pubkey are shown immediatly after the prompt for bip39 passphrase.
Take note of the public key it provides you (copy it down). It will help us help you should there be an issue.
Run as xand user!
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CLI
cd ~
cd ~
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CLI
xandeum-keygen new -o ~/validator-keypair.json
xandeum-keygen new -o ~/validator-keypair.json
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CLI
xandeum-keygen new -o ~/vote-keypair.json
xandeum-keygen new -o ~/vote-keypair.json
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CLI
xandeum-keygen new -o ~/withdraw-keypair.json
xandeum-keygen new -o ~/withdraw-keypair.json
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To view your public key later
CLI
xandeum-keygen pubkey ~/validator-keypair.json
xandeum-keygen pubkey ~/validator-keypair.json
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View your current configuration information
CLI
xandeum config get
xandeum config get
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Switch to Xandeum cluster
CLI
xandeum config set --url https://api.devnet.xandeum.com:8899
xandeum config set --url https://api.devnet.xandeum.com:8899
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Set your new keypair to be used by default.
CLI
xandeum config set --keypair ~/validator-keypair.json
xandeum config set --keypair ~/validator-keypair.json
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Testing our work so far.
Check your connecrtion to the cluster
Linux
xandeum gossip
xandeum gossip
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Request an airdrop from the Xand Faucet
CLI
xandeum airdrop 1 ~/validator-keypair.json
xandeum airdrop 1 ~/validator-keypair.json
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Do this again 4 more times. (We are also giving you fake XNT {Xandeum Native Token} to get started.)
There is a daily limit per wallet...These tokens on TestNet/DevNet are not real.
Check your wallet balance.
CLI
xandeum balance
xandeum balance
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You should have ~5 tokens present if you do it 5x's.
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Create your vote account.
Submit a transaction on the blockchain setting up your vote account
CLI
xandeum create-vote-account --commission 8 ~/vote-keypair.json ~/validator-keypair.json ~/withdraw-keypair.json
xandeum create-vote-account --commission 8 ~/vote-keypair.json ~/validator-keypair.json ~/withdraw-keypair.json
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To find your Vote Account Pubkey later, use:
CLI
xandeum-keygen pubkey ~/vote-keypair.json
xandeum-keygen pubkey ~/vote-keypair.json
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4) Configure your Start Script Configuration
Create your validator configuration file using your editor
nano
vim
vim ~/validator-start.sh
vim ~/validator-start.sh
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There will be nothing in here, so copy and paste in the following configurations. Save and Exit.
text
#!/bin/bash
exec xandeum-validator \
        --known-validator HhuygLTeS6grue95pKKzak2UPuQMXepWbvQv2ToQfbZN \
        --known-validator 6vy4sYV6nTLJQ4tBcXUGgPTuGorVh2FJkm6ToVMFSfr2 \
        --known-validator 3dZiYo933M7VftTSb7WudJV92cg69QwVYS1s753xRc59 \
		--known-validator Hohkf7wGm4MzVNsPTzfudxZwR6MzR9nduPwwzAWE28oZ \
        --entrypoint xand-1.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \
        --entrypoint xand-2.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \
        --entrypoint xand-4.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \
        --entrypoint xand-5.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \
        --expected-shred-version 60140 \
        --expected-genesis-hash HmvXQCaYhBDtovKc5vFT5KzJA1Yy7QDPMngfSvtMohZX \
        --snapshot-interval-slots 300 \
        --full-snapshot-interval-slots 3000 \
        --identity ~/validator-keypair.json \
        --vote-account ~/vote-keypair.json \
        --ledger ~/ledger/ \
        --dynamic-port-range 8000-10000 \
        --rpc-port 8899 \
        --log ~/xand-validator.log \
        --no-poh-speed-test \
        --limit-ledger-size 10000000

#!/bin/bash
exec xandeum-validator \
        --known-validator HhuygLTeS6grue95pKKzak2UPuQMXepWbvQv2ToQfbZN \
        --known-validator 6vy4sYV6nTLJQ4tBcXUGgPTuGorVh2FJkm6ToVMFSfr2 \
        --known-validator 3dZiYo933M7VftTSb7WudJV92cg69QwVYS1s753xRc59 \
		--known-validator Hohkf7wGm4MzVNsPTzfudxZwR6MzR9nduPwwzAWE28oZ \
        --entrypoint xand-1.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \
        --entrypoint xand-2.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \
        --entrypoint xand-4.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \
        --entrypoint xand-5.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \
        --expected-shred-version 60140 \
        --expected-genesis-hash HmvXQCaYhBDtovKc5vFT5KzJA1Yy7QDPMngfSvtMohZX \
        --snapshot-interval-slots 300 \
        --full-snapshot-interval-slots 3000 \
        --identity ~/validator-keypair.json \
        --vote-account ~/vote-keypair.json \
        --ledger ~/ledger/ \
        --dynamic-port-range 8000-10000 \
        --rpc-port 8899 \
        --log ~/xand-validator.log \
        --no-poh-speed-test \
        --limit-ledger-size 10000000
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Note: Every trailing \ is important!
Any commented lines # must be at the bottom of the script. This is to save a command that may be needed later but not used now.
Note: Change the location of ledger in the script to your second drive if you aren't using raid0
Here are the known-validators:
xand-1 HhuygLTeS6grue95pKKzak2UPuQMXepWbvQv2ToQfbZN
xand-2 6vy4sYV6nTLJQ4tBcXUGgPTuGorVh2FJkm6ToVMFSfr2
xand-4 3dZiYo933M7VftTSb7WudJV92cg69QwVYS1s753xRc59
xand-5 Hohkf7wGm4MzVNsPTzfudxZwR6MzR9nduPwwzAWE28oZ

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Make the script you just made executable.
CLI
chmod +x ~/validator-start.sh
chmod +x ~/validator-start.sh
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5) System Tuning
Run as root user, use sudo -i
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Optimize sysctl knobs (copy block and paste into teminal, press return)
CLI
sudo bash -c "cat >/etc/sysctl.d/21-xandeum-validator.conf <<EOF
# Increase UDP buffer sizes
net.core.rmem_default = 134217728
net.core.rmem_max = 134217728
net.core.wmem_default = 134217728
net.core.wmem_max = 134217728

# Increase memory mapped files limit
vm.max_map_count = 1000000

# Increase number of allowed open file descriptors
fs.nr_open = 1000000
EOF"
sudo bash -c "cat >/etc/sysctl.d/21-xandeum-validator.conf <<EOF
# Increase UDP buffer sizes
net.core.rmem_default = 134217728
net.core.rmem_max = 134217728
net.core.wmem_default = 134217728
net.core.wmem_max = 134217728

# Increase memory mapped files limit
vm.max_map_count = 1000000

# Increase number of allowed open file descriptors
fs.nr_open = 1000000
EOF"
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CLI
sudo sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.d/21-xandeum-validator.conf
sudo sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.d/21-xandeum-validator.conf
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Open the file /etc/systemd/system.conf in your editor
nano
vim
sudo vim /etc/systemd/system.conf
sudo vim /etc/systemd/system.conf
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Add the following to the [Manager] section. Save and exit.
CLI
DefaultLimitNOFILE=1000000
DefaultLimitNOFILE=1000000
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Reload the daemon
CLI
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
sudo systemctl daemon-reload
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Increase process file desriptor count limit. (copy block and paste into teminal, press return)
CLI
sudo bash -c "cat >/etc/security/limits.d/90-xandeum-nofiles.conf <<EOF
# Increase process file descriptor count limit
* - nofile 1000000
EOF"
sudo bash -c "cat >/etc/security/limits.d/90-xandeum-nofiles.conf <<EOF
# Increase process file descriptor count limit
* - nofile 1000000
EOF"
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This section is complete. Exit all shells or reboot to activate changes!
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Continue on to Setup System Service﻿﻿
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Updated 25 Mar 2024
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Setup Your Disks
Setup System Service
Validator v0.2.1 Installation

How To Setup a Xandeum DevNet Validator

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1) Update and setup our user

2) Choose which release you want to install

Set our symlink, PATH, and some convenient aliases

Check your Install of the software

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3) Configure your validator instance.

Generate your 3 DevNet keys.

Switch to Xandeum cluster

Set your new keypair to be used by default.

Testing our work so far.

Check your wallet balance.

Create your vote account.

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4) Configure your Start Script Configuration

Create your validator configuration file using your editor

Make the script you just made executable.

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5) System Tuning
