# Guide | How to setup a validator for Ethereum staking on Pithos testnet in 10 minutes or less ## Your **Mission** To participate in the public testnet known as **Pithos**, which is the public's first glimpse in helping Ethereum's journey towards "[The Merge](https://consensys.net/blog/ethereum-2-0/an-update-on-the-merge-after-the-amphora-interop-event-in-greece/)", where Ethereum will transition from proof of work to a much more sustainable proof of stake consensus model. {% hint style="info" %} Major props and credits to [parithosh](https://github.com/parithosh/consensus-deployment-ansible#pithos-testnet-ansible-files--config) for this knowledge share. Without his extensive work and dedication, this guide would not be possible. {% endhint %} ![The MergETHEREUM Panda](/files/4ODSVpwzRfvKuE465Z9q) {% hint style="info" %} Learn more about the Merge: {% endhint %} ## Prerequisites This guide was tested against Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS client. You'll need a virtual machine or local desktop/server/laptop/RaspberryPi. ### **Minimum Hardware Requirements** * **Operating system:** 64-bit Linux (i.e. Ubuntu 20.04 LTS Server or Desktop) * **Processor:** Dual core CPU, Intel Core i5–760 or AMD FX-8100 or better * **Memory:** 4GB RAM * **Storage:** 16GB SSD {% hint style="info" %} For examples of actual staking hardware builds, check out [RocketPool's hardware guide](https://github.com/rocket-pool/docs.rocketpool.net/blob/main/src/guides/node/local/hardware.md). {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} **Pro Staking Tip**: Highly recommend you begin with a brand new instance of an OS, VM, and/or machine. Avoid headaches by NOT reusing testnet keys, wallets, or databases for your validator. {% endhint %} ## How to participate with Pithos {% hint style="info" %} At present, only the consensus beacon client and execution client are available now. Consensus layer's validator client are coming soon. {% endhint %} ### 1. Install dependencies and updates Install packages and update OS ``` sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y sudo apt-get install git ufw curl -y ``` Install Docker ```shell curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh sudo sh get-docker.sh sudo usermod -aG docker $USER ``` Install Docker Compose ``` sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/1.29.2/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-compose ``` Verify docker and docker-compose installed properly. ``` docker --version docker-compose --version ``` Sample output of known working versions. > Docker version 20.10.9, build c2ea9bc > > docker-compose version 1.29.2, build 5becea4c Reboot your machine to complete docker installation. ``` sudo reboot ``` ### 2. Configure Firewall Initialize the firewall with Ethereum's p2p ports and ssh. {% hint style="info" %} More comprehensive [staking validator node security best practices](https://github.com/coincashew/coincashew/blob/master/coins/overview-eth/archived-guides/broken-reference/README.md) also available. {% endhint %} ```bash # By default, deny all incoming and outgoing traffic sudo ufw default deny incoming sudo ufw default allow outgoing # Allow SSH access sudo ufw allow ssh # Allow execution client port sudo ufw allow 30303/tcp # Allow consensus client port sudo ufw allow 9000/tcp sudo ufw allow 9000/udp # Enable UFW sudo ufw enable ``` Confirm the settings are in effect. > ```csharp > sudo ufw status numbered > ``` Example output: ``` Status: active To Action From -- ------ ---- [ 1] 9000/udp ALLOW IN Anywhere [ 2] 22/tcp ALLOW IN Anywhere [ 3] 30303/tcp ALLOW IN Anywhere [ 4] 9000/tcp ALLOW IN Anywhere [ 5] 9000/udp (v6) ALLOW IN Anywhere (v6) [ 6] 22/tcp (v6) ALLOW IN Anywhere (v6) [ 7] 30303/tcp (v6) ALLOW IN Anywhere (v6) [ 8] 9000/tcp (v6) ALLOW IN Anywhere (v6) ``` {% hint style="info" %} For optimal connectivity, ensure Port Forwarding is setup for your router. {% endhint %} ### 3. Setup Pithos ansible files ```bash #Setup git directory mkdir ~/git cd ~/git #Clone the repository git clone https://github.com/parithosh/consensus-deployment-ansible #Change directories cd ~/git/consensus-deployment-ansible/scripts/quick-run/ #Create the required directories for persistent data mkdir -p execution_data beacon_data ``` ### 4. Set IP Address Set your public IP address into the **pithos.vars** file. Ensure your IP address is correct by cross checking with [https://www.whatismyip.com](https://www.whatismyip.com/). ``` IP_ADDRESS=$(curl ifconfig.me) echo My IP address: $IP_ADDRESS sed -i -e "s//$IP_ADDRESS/g" ~/git/consensus-deployment-ansible/scripts/quick-run/pithos.vars ``` ### 5. Run the execution and consensus clients Choose and start up your **execution client**. {% tabs %} {% tab title="Geth" %} ``` docker-compose --env-file pithos.vars -f docker-compose.geth.yml up -d ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Besu" %} ``` docker-compose --env-file pithos.vars -f docker-compose.besu.yml up -d ``` {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} Choose and start up your **consensus client.** {% tabs %} {% tab title="Lodestar" %} ``` docker-compose --env-file pithos.vars -f docker-compose.lodestar.yml up -d ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Teku" %} ``` docker-compose --env-file pithos.vars -f docker-compose.teku.yml up -d ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Lighthouse" %} ``` docker-compose --env-file pithos.vars -f docker-compose.lighthouse.yml up -d ``` {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} Check your logs to confirm that the execution and consensus clients are up and syncing. {% tabs %} {% tab title="Geth" %} ``` docker logs geth -f --tail=20 ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Besu" %} ``` docker logs besu -f --tail=20 ``` {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} {% tabs %} {% tab title="Lodestar" %} ``` docker logs lodestar_beacon -f --tail=20 ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Teku" %} ``` docker logs teku_beacon -f --tail=20 ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Lighthouse" %} ``` docker logs lighthouse_beacon -f --tail=20 ``` {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} Syncing is complete when your slot number matches that of a block explorers. Check {% hint style="info" %} Since the network is relatively new, syncing both the execution and consensus layers should take a few minutes or so. {% endhint %} {% hint style="success" %} Congrats on setting up your Pithos staking node! Note: Validator Deposits not yet available. Deposits for general public should be available in a week. If you haven't already, learn to setup a [Validator for Ethereum Staking.](https://www.coincashew.com/coins/overview-eth/guide-or-how-to-setup-a-validator-on-eth2-mainnet) {% endhint %} ## Additional Information ### Stopping the execution and consensus clients To stop the clients, run {% tabs %} {% tab title="Geth" %} ``` docker-compose -f docker-compose.geth.yml down ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Besu" %} ``` docker-compose -f docker-compose.besu.yml down ``` {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} {% tabs %} {% tab title="Lodestar" %} ``` docker-compose -f docker-compose.lodestar.yml down ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Teku" %} ``` docker-compose -f docker-compose.teku.yml down ``` {% endtab %} {% tab title="Lighthouse" %} ``` docker-compose -f docker-compose.lighthouse.yml down ``` {% endtab %} {% endtabs %} ### Troubleshooting View the current running docker processes. ``` docker ps ``` Example output: ``` CONTAINER ID IMAGE COMMAND CREATED STATUS PORTS NAMES 592fd5931a1b parithoshj/geth:merge-ac736f9 "geth --datadir=/exe…" 1 hours ago Up 1 hours geth ``` Notice the column under NAMES. In this example, it's **geth**. We can shutdown and clean the container by calling geth's yml filename (e.g **docker-compose.geth.yml**). Update this filename for your specific execution or consensus client. ``` docker-compose -f docker-compose.geth.yml down --remove-orphans ``` Now start up the [execution and consensus clients again.](#3.-setup-pithos-testnet-ansible-files-1) ### Change Ports **Scenario**: The default ports 30303 and 9000 are already in use and you need to change ports. Edit the appropriate docker .yml file. e.g. `docker-compose.geth.yml` Add this to the command line. ``` --port ``` Update UFW firewalls and/or port forwarding rules accordingly. ## Reference Material * --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://www.coincashew.com/coins/overview-eth/archived-guides/guide-or-how-to-setup-a-validator-for-ethereum-staking-on-pithos-testnet-in-10-minutes-or-less.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.