# 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 %}
{% 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
*