Running a Validator on Coreum Network

Setting up and running a validator on the Coreum network is a crucial role that contributes to the network’s security and efficiency. This guide covers the essential steps and best practices for running a successful validator node on Coreum.

Initial Setup

Prerequisites

  • cored Installation: Ensure that cored is installed and configured to connect to the desired Coreum network.
  • Funded Account: Ensure you have a funded account to cover transaction fees for validator registration.

Validator Creation

Generating a Validator Key

  • Generate a new validator key pair using the cored CLI:
        cored keys add <validator_key_name> --keyring-backend <keyring_backend>
    
        
    
    Replace <validator_key_name> with your desired key name and <keyring_backend> with your keyring backend choice.

Registering the Validator

  • Register your validator by submitting a transaction with the necessary parameters:
        cored tx staking create-validator \
      --amount <staking_amount> \
      --pubkey <validator_pubkey> \
      --moniker <validator_moniker> \
      --commission-rate <commission_rate> \
      --commission-max-rate <commission_max_rate> \
      --commission-max-change-rate <commission_max_change_rate> \
      --min-self-delegation <min_self_delegation> \
      --from <your_account_key_name> \
      --gas auto \
      --chain-id <chain_id> \
      --keyring-backend <keyring_backend> \
      --node <node_url>
    
        
    
    Replace the placeholders appropriately based on your setup.

Monitoring Your Validator

  • After registering, monitor the network for the validation of your transaction and the active participation of your validator in the consensus process.

Security Practices

Key Management

  • Securely manage and store your validator keys. Regularly update and back up your keys to prevent loss.

Node Security

  • Consider using additional security measures like sentry nodes if your validator is exposed to the public internet.

Validator Maintenance

Monitoring and Updating

  • Regularly check the performance and health of your validator node. Ensure your software is updated to the latest stable version.

Participating in Governance

  • Stay informed about governance proposals and actively participate in the voting process using:
        cored tx gov vote <proposal_id> <option> --from <your_key_name>
    
        
    

Troubleshooting and Support

Common Issues

  • Downtime: Minimize downtime to avoid penalties.
  • Double Signing: Ensure your setup prevents double signing, which could lead to slashing.

Seeking Help

  • Engage with the Coreum community through forums or chat channels for additional support and troubleshooting tips.

For detailed commands and further instructions, refer to the Coreum documentation. Running a validator on Coreum is a significant responsibility that comes with potential rewards through active participation in the network’s governance and consensus processes.