Shardeum Node Installation: A Beginner-Friendly Tutorial

Introduction to Shardeum Nodes

Shardeum is a blockchain network designed to address the scalability trilemma by leveraging dynamic state sharding. This approach enables the network to handle a large number of transactions efficiently, making Installing Shardeum Node it a promising platform for decentralized applications. Operating a validator node on the Shardeum network is crucial for its security, scalability, and decentralization. In this tutorial, we will guide you through the process of installing and setting up a Shardeum validator node, making it accessible to beginners.

Minimum Hardware Requirements

Before diving into the installation process, it’s essential to ensure your hardware meets the minimum requirements for running a Shardeum validator node.

Storage : 250 GB SSD storage
CPU : Quad core CPU less than 10 years old if self-hosting, or dual core CPU with newer Xeons/EPYC if hosted
RAM : 16 GB of RAM, 4+ GB of virtual memory recommended
Hosting : 8 GB RAM + 8 GB Virtual Memory

Installing a Shardeum Validator

To install a Shardeum validator, you will need to follow these steps:

1. Install Package Managers

First, you will need to install package managers like curl and docker .

  sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install -y curl

2. Install Docker and Docker.io

Next, install Docker and Docker.io.

  sudo apt-get install -y docker.io sudo systemctl start docker sudo systemctl enable docker

3. Install Docker-compose

Install Docker-compose.

  sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/1.29.2/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose sudo ln -s /usr/local/bin/docker-compose /usr/bin/docker-compose

4. Download and Install Validator

Download and install the Shardeum validator.

  curl -L https://shardeum.org/validator.sh | sh

This command will prompt you to set up your validator settings. Follow the prompts to provide necessary information such as:

Permission to Collect Validator Data : Enter y to allow data collection for bug reporting.
Web-Based Dashboard Setup : Enter y to set up the web-based dashboard.
Password Setup : Set a password for dashboard access.
Custom Session Port : Add a custom session port (default is 8080) or hit enter to use the default.
Custom External IP Address : Add a custom external IP address or use an automatically detected IP address.
Custom Internal IP Address : Add a custom internal IP address or use an automatically detected IP address.
First P2P Port : Set the first P2P port (default is 9001).
Second P2P Port : Set the second P2P port (default is 10001).
Custom Path or Root Installation : Choose a custom path or install to root.

Wait for the installation process to complete.

5. Open Validator GUI

Once the installation is complete, open your web browser and navigate to the URL provided during the installation process. You might see a warning page; ignore this warning and continue to the validator dashboard. Enter the password you set during the installation process to access the “Overview” page of the Shardeum Validator Dashboard.

Starting the Validator

To start the validator, click the “Start Node” button in the top right white box of the dashboard. If this does not work, you can try running the following command on the CLI:

  shardeum start

Set your password for logging into the GUI if prompted.

Monitoring the Validator

To monitor your node’s performance, go to the “Performance” section of the dashboard. For more detailed information about your node status, run the following command inside the CLI:

  shardeum status

Connecting Wallet to Shardeum Testnet

To connect your wallet to the Shardeum testnet, configure your network with the necessary details found in the validator dashboard. This will allow you to interact with the testnet and stake tokens.

Getting SHM from ITN Faucet

Claim testnet tokens from the Shardeum Discord SHM Faucet to add stake to your validator.

Using CLI Commands

You can also stake and unstake from the validator CLI if you are not able to access a web browser for the validator GUI.

Open Validator CLI

Make sure you are in the root directory by running:

  cd /path/to/shardeum

Start the CLI by running the following shell script:

  ./shardeum-cli.sh

Set Private Key

Set your private key in your validator CLI:

  shardeum set-private-key <your-private-key>

Be very careful with your private keys. Shardeum discards private keys after transactions are signed, so take precautions when extracting your private key.

Stake Tokens

Add stake with:

  shardeum add-stake <amount>

Check your stake amount with:

  shardeum get-stake

Remove stake with:

  shardeum remove-stake <amount>

Updating the Validator

It is necessary to keep your validator updated by checking the minimum version required and your current version periodically. Run:

  shardeum update

Cloud Service Providers

Shardeum provides setup guides for various cloud service providers to make it easier to set up a validator node in the cloud.

AWS Setup Guide

For detailed instructions on setting up a Shardeum validator using Amazon Web Services (AWS) EC2 instances, refer to the AWS Setup Guide[3].

DigitalOcean Setup Guide

For detailed instructions on setting up a Shardeum validator using DigitalOcean Droplets, refer to the DigitalOcean Setup Guide[4].

Contabo Setup Guide

For detailed instructions on setting up a Shardeum validator using Contabo VPS, refer to the Contabo Setup Guide[5].

Benefits of Operating a Shardeum Validator

Operating a Shardeum validator comes with several benefits:

Earn SHM : Earn SHM tokens for securing the network.
Contribute to Network Security, Scalability, and Decentralization : Contribute to the security, scalability, and decentralization of Shardeum.

Conclusion

In conclusion, setting up a Shardeum validator node is a straightforward process that can be completed by following these steps. By ensuring your hardware meets the minimum requirements and following the installation guide, you can contribute to the Shardeum network and earn SHM tokens. Additionally, using cloud service providers like AWS, DigitalOcean, or Contabo can make the process even more accessible. With this beginner-friendly tutorial, you are now equipped to start your journey in operating a Shardeum validator node.

Additional Resources

For more detailed information about Shardeum and its validator nodes, refer to the official Shardeum documentation and blog posts.

Archiver Verification of Validator Data

Shardeum’s archiver verification process is crucial for maintaining the integrity and reliability of the data stored by archivers. This process involves verifying data from validator nodes to ensure that the network remains secure and scalable[2].

Dual Roles of Archiver and Validator Nodes

Archiver and validator nodes in Shardeum play dual roles. Archivers verify the data from validator nodes, ensuring that the network’s redundancy and security are maintained through rigorous cryptographic data verification. This separation of duties allows validators to focus on processing transactions efficiently, while archivers maintain a comprehensive record of the network’s history.

Verification Process

The verification process involves several steps:

Data Streaming : Validators stream and send their partial state to archivers.
Receipt Validation : Archivers verify the receipts of transactions, ensuring that they are correct and valid.
Gossiping : Validated receipt information is distributed throughout the network, reducing reliance solely on validators and boosting the detection of rogue validators.
Querying and Verification : Archivers can query validators for specific transaction receipts and verify signatures in case of discrepancies.

This multifaceted approach ensures the accuracy, integrity, and reliability of the data within the network, making Shardeum a verification-first network built on cryptographic guarantees.

Summary of Benefits

Shardeum’s implementation of archiver verification marks a significant advancement in blockchain technology. By employing a range of strategies including external receipt validation, signature verification, robust querying, and gossiping, Shardeum enhances data integrity and network resilience. This approach not only mitigates risks of fraud but also supports scalability by optimizing computational load and fostering decentralized trust. Through these innovations, Shardeum solidifies its infrastructure, ensuring a reliable and scalable network ready to meet future demands[2].