Become a validator, start staking and help secure Ethereum, a proof-of-stake blockchain. Anyone with 32 ETH can join.
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To participate in the public testnet known as Pithos, which is the public's first glimpse in helping Ethereum's journey towards "The Merge", where Ethereum will transition from proof of work to a much more sustainable proof of stake consensus model.
This guide was tested against Ubuntu 20.04.1 LTS client. You'll need a virtual machine or local desktop/server/laptop/RaspberryPi.
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
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.
Install packages and update OS
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y
sudo apt-get install git ufw curl -yInstall Docker
curl -fsSL https://get.docker.com -o get-docker.sh
sudo sh get-docker.sh
sudo usermod -aG docker $USERInstall Docker Compose
sudo curl -L "https://github.com/docker/compose/releases/download/1.29.2/docker-compose-$(uname -s)-$(uname -m)" -o /usr/local/bin/docker-compose
sudo chmod +x /usr/local/bin/docker-composeVerify docker and docker-compose installed properly.
docker --version
docker-compose --versionSample output of known working versions.
Docker version 20.10.9, build c2ea9bc
docker-compose version 1.29.2, build 5becea4c
Reboot your machine to complete docker installation.
sudo rebootInitialize the firewall with Ethereum's p2p ports and ssh.
# By default, deny all incoming and outgoing traffic
sudo ufw default deny incoming
sudo ufw default allow outgoing
# Allow SSH access
sudo ufw allow ssh
# Allow execution client port
sudo ufw allow 30303/tcp
# Allow consensus client port
sudo ufw allow 9000/tcp
sudo ufw allow 9000/udp
# Enable UFW
sudo ufw enableConfirm the settings are in effect.
sudo ufw status numbered
Example output:
Status: active
To Action From
-- ------ ----
[ 1] 9000/udp ALLOW IN Anywhere
[ 2] 22/tcp ALLOW IN Anywhere
[ 3] 30303/tcp ALLOW IN Anywhere
[ 4] 9000/tcp ALLOW IN Anywhere
[ 5] 9000/udp (v6) ALLOW IN Anywhere (v6)
[ 6] 22/tcp (v6) ALLOW IN Anywhere (v6)
[ 7] 30303/tcp (v6) ALLOW IN Anywhere (v6)
[ 8] 9000/tcp (v6) ALLOW IN Anywhere (v6)#Setup git directory
mkdir ~/git
cd ~/git
#Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/parithosh/consensus-deployment-ansible
#Change directories
cd ~/git/consensus-deployment-ansible/scripts/quick-run/
#Create the required directories for persistent data
mkdir -p execution_data beacon_dataSet your public IP address into the pithos.vars file. Ensure your IP address is correct by cross checking with https://www.whatismyip.com.
IP_ADDRESS=$(curl ifconfig.me)
echo My IP address: $IP_ADDRESS
sed -i -e "s/<ENTER-IP-ADDRESS-HERE>/$IP_ADDRESS/g" ~/git/consensus-deployment-ansible/scripts/quick-run/pithos.varsChoose and start up your execution client.
docker-compose --env-file pithos.vars -f docker-compose.geth.yml up -dChoose and start up your consensus client.
docker-compose --env-file pithos.vars -f docker-compose.lodestar.yml up -dCheck your logs to confirm that the execution and consensus clients are up and syncing.
docker logs geth -f --tail=20docker logs lodestar_beacon -f --tail=20Syncing is complete when your slot number matches that of a block explorers. Check https://pithos-explorer.ethdevops.io/
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.
To stop the clients, run
docker-compose -f docker-compose.geth.yml downdocker-compose -f docker-compose.lodestar.yml downView the current running docker processes.
docker psExample output:
CONTAINER ID IMAGE COMMAND CREATED STATUS PORTS NAMES
592fd5931a1b parithoshj/geth:merge-ac736f9 "geth --datadir=/exe…" 1 hours ago Up 1 hours gethNotice 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-orphansNow start up the execution and consensus clients again.
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 <your port#>Update UFW firewalls and/or port forwarding rules accordingly.