--- title: Validator Installation slug: v00/validator-installation description: Learn how to set up a Xandeum DevNet Validator and a Solana validator node with this comprehensive guide. It covers everything from installing necessary binaries and updating the installation to configuring system settings and creating validator accounts. docTags: createdAt: 2023-08-19T03:02:55.649Z --- :::hint{type="danger"} **NOTE: This cluster is stopped. There are no active RPC on this cluster to run `solana` based commands. Switch to \`v.01\`** ::: # How To Setup a Xandeum DevNet Validator :::hint{type="info"} **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. ::: ## ## 1) Installation of the needed binaries. Start with a fresh instance of Linux as the `root` user. These instructions use [Ubuntu Server 22.04.2LTS](https://ubuntu.com/download/server) :::hint{type="danger"} 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. ::: ### Get `root` user :::hint{type="warning"} 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 ::: ![](https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/ePevXmvzgG-7aqJ72Gpg_/0naV05D9KRSBrRYLcDmc6_image.png) ### Update your installation :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux sudo apt-get update -y && sudo apt-get upgrade -y ``` ::: ### Install prerequestite packages :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux sudo apt -y install sudo curl git build-essential pkg-config libssl-dev libudev-dev zlib1g-dev llvm clang cmake make libprotobuf-dev protobuf-compiler tmux vnstat ``` ::: - Press OK to restart services if prompted ### Enable `vnstat` to monitor your bandwidth usage on your machine :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux sudo systemctl enable --now vnstat ``` ::: :::hint{type="info"} Note: research `vnstat` to find many different ways to view information on your bandwidth usage. ::: ### Create Xandeum Validator Account :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux sudo adduser xand ``` ::: :::hint{type="info"} 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` ::: ### Add new user to sudo group :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux sudo usermod -aG sudo xand ``` ::: ### Change to the Xandeum User account :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux su xand ``` ::: Switch the Xand home directory :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux cd ~ ``` ::: ### ### Install Rust, Cargo, and restmft :::hint{type="warning"} Run as `xand` user without `sudo` privledges. ::: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux curl https://sh.rustup.rs -sSf | sh ``` ::: - Take care to select option #1 when prompted to. ### Dont forget to set the source for .cargo :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux source $HOME/.cargo/env ``` ::: ### Add rustfm :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux rustup component add rustfmt ``` ::: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux rustup update ``` ::: ### Set to compile using native cpu flags :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux export RUSTFLAGS="-O -C target-cpu=native" ``` ::: :::hint{type="warning"} ### Special Note: If you run into issues w/ Rust compiling, or if you receive `illegal instruction` errors upon starting your validator (usually only if running on a hypervisor), replace the export command with the export below: - This will generally impact Antsle owners (and some other Virtualization software/hardware) where CPUs will show up as Westmere E56xx/L56xx/X56xx (Nehalem-C) - Also if your cpu doesn't support AVX2 instruction set you may need this additional RUST Flag. Check if your CPU supports AVX2 using this command: `lscpu | grep --color=always -i avx2` and avx2 should show up in red if its supported. - May serverly limit efficiency of the binaries. ::: :::CodeblockTabs ONLY USE IF ON A SYSTEM WITHOUT AVX2 ```linux export RUST_REED_SOLOMON_ERASURE_ARCH=native ``` ::: ### Clone the Xandeum Repo (Solana for now) :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux cd ~ git clone https://github.com/solana-labs/solana.git ``` ::: ### cd into new repo dir :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux cd solana ``` ::: ### Choose which release you want to compile :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux git checkout v1.16.10 ``` ::: ### Build (compile) the validator software :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux ./cargo build --release ``` ::: :::hint{type="warning"} - `error: toolchain` can be ignored, missing toolchains will be installed. ::: :::hint{type="info"} - To use less processor, try adding jobs limit with ` -j 2` ::: :::hint{type="success"} - This process is going to take some time. Get a beverage, walk the dog, take the kids to the pool. 10-40 minutes typical depending on cpu. ::: *** ## ## 2) After build completes: :::hint{type="info"} Run as `xand` user in home dir (use `cd ~`) ::: ### Create directories and parent folders `-p` for the validator files :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux mkdir ~/.local/share/solana/install/releases/1.16.10/bin -p ``` ::: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux mkdir ~/.local/share/solana/install/releases/active_release/ ``` ::: ### Move the newly created binary (application files) to the appropriate release folder :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux cd ~/solana/target/release ``` ::: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux mv * .* ~/.local/share/solana/install/releases/1.16.10/bin ``` ::: :::hint{type="info"} Ignore these errors...as these folders can't move: `mv: cannot move '.' to '/home/xand/.local/share/solana/install/releases/1.16.10/bin/.': Device or resource busy` `mv: cannot move '..' to '/home/xand/.local/share/solana/install/releases/1.16.10/bin/..': Device or resource busy` ::: ### Create symlinks (shortcuts) to the directories. This will allow us to change the version that is loaded by creating a symlink to a newer set of binaries :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux ln -sf /home/xand/.local/share/solana/install/releases/1.16.10/bin/ ~/.local/share/solana/install/releases/active_release/ ``` ::: ### Backup the old $PATH for reference. :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux echo $PATH >> ~/PATH.bak ``` ::: ### Using your favorite editor to open the bashrc config: :::CodeblockTabs nano ```linux nano ~/.bashrc ``` vim ```linux vim ~/.bashrc ``` ::: ### Add the following lines at the very bottom and save your changes and exit. :::CodeblockTabs text ```linux export PATH="/home/xand/.local/share/solana/install/releases/active_release/bin:$PATH" alias l="ls -a --color=auto" alias ll="ls -alh --color=auto" alias sv="solana validators --sort skip-rate --reverse" alias sg="solana gossip" alias se="solana epoch-info" ``` ::: - Fully exit all shells and come back in. ### Check your Install of the software After logging back in as `xand` user, time to test if everything worked. - Check solana version: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux cd ~ solana -V ``` ::: - Results should appear simlar to the following ::Image[]{src="https://api.archbee.com/api/optimize/ePevXmvzgG-7aqJ72Gpg_/pR92FqNOzhXFEEVVgymQX_screenshot-2023-08-18-230744.png" size="88" width="711" height="75" position="flex-start" showCaption="false"} :::hint{type="success"} If you are working on a virtual machine, now would be the ideal time to take a snapshot & backup your work just in case you have any issues beyond this point. It is also advisable for bare metal too. ::: *** ## ## 3) Configure your validator instance. :::hint{type="danger"} Please observe proper security of your private keys! 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! ::: ### Generate your 3 DevNet keys. :::hint{type="info"} - 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. ::: :::hint{type="warning"} Run as `xand` user! ::: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux cd ~ ``` ::: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana-keygen new -o ~/validator-keypair.json ``` ::: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana-keygen new -o ~/vote-keypair.json ``` ::: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana-keygen new -o ~/withdraw-keypair.json ``` ::: To view your public key later :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana-keygen pubkey ~/validator-keypair.json ``` ::: View your current configuration information :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana config get ``` ::: ### Switch to Xandeum cluster :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana config set --url https://api.devnet.xandeum.com:8899 ``` ::: ### Set your new keypair to be used by default. :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```text solana config set --keypair ~/validator-keypair.json ``` ::: ### Testing our work so far. - Check your connecrtion to the cluster ```linux solana gossip ``` - Request an airdrop from the Xand Faucet :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana airdrop 1 ~/validator-keypair.json ``` ::: Do this again 4 more times. (We are also giving you fake XAND/SOL to get started.) - There is a daily limit per wallet...These tokens on TestNet/DevNet are not real. ### Check your wallet balance. :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana balance ``` ::: You should have \~5 tokens present if you do it 5x's. ### Create your vote account. - Submit a transaction on the blockchain setting up your vote account :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana create-vote-account ~/vote-keypair.json ~/validator-keypair.json ~/withdraw-keypair.json ``` ::: To find your Vote Account Pubkey later, use: :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux solana-keygen pubkey ~/vote-keypair.json ``` ::: *** ## ## 4) Configure your Start Script Configuration ### Create your validator configuration file using your editor :::CodeblockTabs nano ```linux nano ~/validator-start.sh ``` vim ```linux vim ~/validator-start.sh ``` ::: - There will be nothing in here, so copy and paste in the following configurations. Save and Exit. :::CodeblockTabs text ```none #!/bin/bash exec solana-validator \ --known-validator HhuygLTeS6grue95pKKzak2UPuQMXepWbvQv2ToQfbZN \ --known-validator 6vy4sYV6nTLJQ4tBcXUGgPTuGorVh2FJkm6ToVMFSfr2 \ --known-validator CYQCxRcrSNg2XUiM42tp6bUtbWzZEdmTNawhBg5hSLoo \ --known-validator 3dZiYo933M7VftTSb7WudJV92cg69QwVYS1s753xRc59 \ --known-validator 2X8DQyB88vac5yZnkVzz6JxogWzSEhJBfNz7UHbQms1i \ --known-validator 2Ww2DYCYegUrwxC44funMmdp7Ttyu38jFvUUkrzyyLMw \ --entrypoint xand-1.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \ --entrypoint xand-2.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \ --entrypoint xand-3.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \ --entrypoint xand-4.devnet.xandeum.com:8000 \ --expected-shred-version 46090 \ --expected-genesis-hash 9MJobEeGZJH9KjQNzMcRDuPNFUwJtAnBEEgpWgAgy4VL \ --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 \ --limit-ledger-size 50000000 \ # --expected-bank-hash 3UQBGcNj3s5jfGKVa1jhqyXyPv6anm4PADbZdMCKY3ht \ # --wait-for-supermajority 610426 \ # --no-snapshot-fetch \ # --no-genesis-fetch \ ``` ::: :::hint{type="warning"} **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. ::: :::hint{type="info"} **Note**: Change the location of `ledger` in the script to your second drive if you aren't using raid0 ::: :::hint{type="success"} Here are the known-validators: Xand1-known-validator HhuygLTeS6grue95pKKzak2UPuQMXepWbvQv2ToQfbZN \\ Xand2-known-validator 6vy4sYV6nTLJQ4tBcXUGgPTuGorVh2FJkm6ToVMFSfr2 \\ Xand3-known-validator CYQCxRcrSNg2XUiM42tp6bUtbWzZEdmTNawhBg5hSLoo \\ Xand4-known-validator 3dZiYo933M7VftTSb7WudJV92cg69QwVYS1s753xRc59 \\ t3chie-known-validator 2X8DQyB88vac5yZnkVzz6JxogWzSEhJBfNz7UHbQms1i \\ bernie-known-validator 2Ww2DYCYegUrwxC44funMmdp7Ttyu38jFvUUkrzyyLMw \\ ::: ### Make the script you just made executable. :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux chmod +x ~/validator-start.sh ``` ::: *** ## ## 5) System Tuning :::hint{type="warning"} Run as `root` user, use `sudo -i` ::: Optimize sysctl knobs (copy block and paste into teminal, press return) :::CodeblockTabs CLI ```linux sudo bash -c "cat >/etc/sysctl.d/21-solana-validator.conf </etc/security/limits.d/90-solana-nofiles.conf <