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Installing Fractal Node software via the Toolbox on a new server
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Installing Fractal Node software via the Toolbox on a new server
Last updated
This guide is for installing the Validator Toolbox software on a brand-new server setup. We will have notes for first-time validators as there are some additional one-time steps required to become live on testnet or mainnet.
You will need a computer/server running 24/7 to run a Fractal Validator. Typically this will be a virtual server running on a hosted provider such as Contabo.
Once you have a server created you are ready to log in and begin the installation.
In this guide, we will be using the name servicefractal but feel free to customize each command block for a different username of your choosing.
Add a new user account to the server using the adduser command, shown below.
You will need to pick a password and, optionally, enter some basic info and then answer Y to confirm, as shown below. Store this password in a secure location.
Once you've created your user account, provide it root access by running the following command:
There will be no output response to the command.
At this point, you can log out by typing exit and hitting enter.
Log back into your node as "servicefractal" using your SSH client (e.g., Putty).
Verify your new user is in the sudo group by reconnecting now as the new user account. Once logged in, send the command groups to verify you are in the sudo group.
Install docker by running the following block of code, customize the username servicefractal if you're using a different user name:
You will see lengthy output from running this command, but it should return to the prompt after a few moments of setting up docker. This is the expected output:
After reconnecting, you can verify you are in the docker group by typing groups and verifying the docker group is listed as shown.
Run docker ps command. Below is the expected output:
Firewall types vary depending on OS and provider.
Here are the ports required to be open for Findora. Port 22 is for SSH, the rest are for the Findora docker container. Use your provider tools or the CLI to configure your firewall. Below is an example list of commands to configure your firewall via CLI.
Once you've logged back in and your user is in the docker group, run the following command to install the toolbox and begin installation on either mainnet or testnet.
Our menu will launch and ask you a few simple questions to get you fully loaded and online:
The installer will pull the installation script and get everything setup. At the end of the installer you'll have a fully working validator syncing up to the blockchain on a brand new tmp.gen.keypair and priv_validator_key.json file.
These are usable as wallets but are also disposable still at this point. You can test out all the functions of a Findora server now as long as you don't run the staking and creation commands.
At this point you'll have a system that begins syncing automatically on the blockchain after the database download and unpacking completes. Wait for your sync_status to equal false before sending your command to create a validator or before migrating an existing validator to the new server.
Run the following commands and ensure they return status messages without errors. Your node has been successfully configured and started if no errors are displayed.
Now you can run fn show or findora.sh to see your validator address on this server.
You should now fund your validator wallet address with at least 10,000 FRA plus extra to cover any gas fees or slashing due to unexpected downtime.
Proceed to the next steps below once your validator wallet address is funded. It will be required during the self-delegation step using the fn stake command.
Create the file staker_memo in your home directory. This file defines your validator name, description, your website, and logo to display.
This will open the nano text editor. You can copy and paste the template below.
Remember to customize the fields above before saving the file. For the logo, a free and easy platform to use is imgur.com. Paste your logo to imgur.com and use the link they provide, ensuring it ends in .png or .jpg.
In the next step, when you create your validator, the information in this file is passed onto the command to be used on the Findora Validator Explorer.
In the future, you can still utilize this file to update your validator information by re-editing the file and resending your info via the fn staker-update command show later.
With the wallet funded and staker_memo created, you are now ready to create your validator on-chain and begin signing blocks.
The example below shows how to start your validator with a stake of 15,000 FRA with a commission rate of 2%.
Modify it to your personal preferences.
In this example, 15000 * 1000000 FRA is 15,000 FRA tokens staked.
In a few minutes, your validator information page on findorascan.io will show the commission rate and self-stake you selected in the command above.
Your validator is now online. Launch your toolbox with the following command!
Anytime you would like to run the full toolbox menu we suggest pulling updates and then launching the application.
The code below works for either testnet or mainnet toolbox. Here's a string of code you can run to update and start the toolbox again:
Congratulations!
If all steps were completed successfully, your validator should now be online - viewable from the Findora Explorer, in sync with the chain, and self-staked with at least 10,000 FRA.
Reviewing the Best Practices and Troubleshooting sections of the validator guide is strongly recommended for your next steps. We also suggest joining the Findora Discord, requesting a validator role, and joining the conversation with other validators.
Ensure you stay up-to-date on the latest Findora news and changes, as some upgrades to the network will require you to update your validator node in a timely manner.
