Edit

Nimbus

Select a configuration for Nimbus. Running a standalone validator configuration is recommended for best modularity and redundancy.

Create a service user for the validator service, as this improves security, then create data directories.

sudo adduser --system --no-create-home --group validator
sudo mkdir -p /var/lib/nimbus_validator

The following command will import your validator keys.

Enter your keystore password to import accounts.

sudo /usr/local/bin/nimbus_beacon_node deposits import \
  --data-dir=/var/lib/nimbus_validator $HOME/ethstaker_deposit-cli/validator_keys

WARNING: Do not import your validator keys into multiple validator clients and run them at the same time, or you might get slashed. If moving validators to a new setup or different validator client, ensure deletion of the previous validator keys before continuing.

Now you can verify the accounts were imported successfully by doing a directory listing.

sudo ls -l /var/lib/nimbus_validator/validators

You should see a folder named for each of your validator's pubkey.

Create a systemd unit file to define your validator.service configuration.

sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/validator.service

Paste the following configuration into the file.

[Unit]
Description=Nimbus Validator Client service for Hoodi
Wants=network-online.target
After=network-online.target
Documentation=https://www.coincashew.com

[Service]
Type=simple
User=validator
Group=validator
Restart=on-failure
RestartSec=3
KillSignal=SIGINT
TimeoutStopSec=900
ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/nimbus_validator_client \
  --data-dir=/var/lib/nimbus_validator \
  --metrics \
  --metrics-port=8009 \
  --beacon-node=http://127.0.0.1:5052 \
  --graffiti="🏠🥩🪙🛡️" \
  --suggested-fee-recipient=<0x_CHANGE_THIS_TO_MY_ETH_FEE_RECIPIENT_ADDRESS>
  
[Install]
WantedBy=multi-user.target

  • Replace<0x_CHANGE_THIS_TO_MY_ETH_FEE_RECIPIENT_ADDRESS> with your own Ethereum address that you control. Tips are sent to this address and are immediately spendable.

  • If you wish to customize a short message that is included when you produce a block, add your message to the --graffiti. Maximum length is 16 characters.

To exit and save, press Ctrl + X, then Y, then Enter.

Setup ownership permissions, including hardening the access to this directory.

Run the following to enable auto-start at boot time.

Finally, start your validator client and check it's status.

Check your logs to confirm that the validator clients are up and functioning.

For example when using 2 validators, logs will show the following:

Press Ctrl + C to exit the logs.

Example of Synced Nimbus Validator Client Logs

  • Once the validator is active and proceeded through the validator activation queue, attestation messages will appear indicating successful attestations.

  • Notice the key words "Attestation sent".

Cleanup leftover validator_keys

Verify that you have backups of validator_keys directory. The contents are the keystore files.

Having backup copies of your validator_keys directory on USB media can make recovery from node problems quicker. Validator keys can always be regenerated from secret recovery mnemonic phrase.

You may safely delete the directory.

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