Add Lighthouse validator

Launch validator instance / validator(s)

Validators are defined by validator keys. Based on the network you are going to stake on, check Gnosis validator keys / Ethereum validator keys generation guide.

1. Do you want to create a new validation instance or extend exisiting instance for more validators?

   • Create a directory for validator instance data

     sudo mkdir -p /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1

   • Load keystores to /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1

     Directory with Deposit Data keystores:

     sudo /usr/local/bin/lighthouse --network mainnet account validator import --reuse-password --directory $HOME/keystores/ddk_i1 --datadir /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1

     sudo /usr/local/bin/lighthouse --network gnosis account validator import --reuse-password --directory $HOME/keystores/ddk_i1 --datadir /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1

     • Insert keystores encryption password (the one used during keystores generation) on request
     • If there are keystores with different encryption password, repeat the process for each encryption password

   • Create a service user for the validator instance

     sudo useradd --system --no-create-home --shell /bin/false lighthouse-vi1

   • Set ownership of /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1 to validators-i1 user

     sudo chown -R lighthouse-vi1:lighthouse-vi1 /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1

   • Create configuration service file for lighthouse-vi1 service

     1. Open the configuration file

        sudo nano /etc/systemd/system/lighthouse-vi1.service

     2. Copy the configuration below into the file.

        • What's fee recipient wallet?
        • What's your execution client?

        [Unit]
        Description=Lighthouse Validator Instance (Mainnet)
        Wants=network-online.target
        After=network-online.target
        [Service]
        User=lighthouse-vi1
        Group=lighthouse-vi1
        Type=simple
        Restart=always
        RestartSec=5
        ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/lighthouse vc \
          --network mainnet \
          --datadir /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1 \
          --beacon-nodes http://localhost:5052 \
          --suggested-fee-recipient 0xXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX \
          --graffiti "Nethermind+Lighthouse"
        [Install]
        WantedBy=multi-user.target

        [Unit]
        Description=Lighthouse Validator Instance (Gnosis Network)
        Wants=network-online.target
        After=network-online.target
        [Service]
        User=lighthouse-vi1
        Group=lighthouse-vi1
        Type=simple
        Restart=always
        RestartSec=5
        ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/lighthouse vc \
          --network gnosis \
          --datadir /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1 \
          --suggested-fee-recipient 0xXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX \
          --beacon-nodes http://localhost:5052 \
          --graffiti "Nethermind+Lighthouse"
        [Install]
        WantedBy=multi-user.target

     3. Press CTRL + X then Y then ENTER to save and exit the config file.

   • Stop running validator instance lighthouse-vi1

     sudo systemctl stop lighthouse-vi1

   • Extend /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1 for new keystores

     sudo /usr/local/bin/lighthouse --network mainnet account validator import --reuse-password --directory $HOME/keystores/ddk_i1 --datadir /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1

     sudo /usr/local/bin/lighthouse --network gnosis account validator import --reuse-password --directory $HOME/keystores/ddk_i1 --datadir /var/lib/lighthouse/vi1

     • You will be requested to insert keystores encryption password (the one used during keystores generation)
     • If there are keystores with different encryption password, repeat the process for each encryption password
     • Already existing keystores in the directory will be skipped

2. Load processed changes to the system

   sudo systemctl daemon-reload

3. Start the validator instance

   sudo systemctl start lighthouse-vi1

4. Check the running validator instance

   systemctl status lighthouse-vi1

   journalctl -fu lighthouse-vi1

5. Activate service to start automatically on system startup

   sudo systemctl enable lighthouse-vi1

   • Open Delayed Start shell

     sudo nano /usr/local/bin/delayed-start.sh

     Configurate service start inside it

     systemctl start lighthouse-vi1.service

   • Be sure, delayed-start.service service controlling delayed-start.sh is enabled for auto start with system startup

     sudo systemctl enable delayed-start.service

   1. Configurate Staking Manager util

      • Open the configuration file

        sudo nano /usr/local/etc/staking/config/clients.conf

        If the file is empty, generate it with command sudo /usr/local/bin/staking.sh init

      • Set link to proper service. It should be as follow:

        validatorServices="lighthouse-vi1"

        If you place more services to the category, separate them with a space, see validatorServices="service1 service2 service3 ..."

   2. Activate service to start automatically on OS startup

      • Open Start with delay util

        sudo nano /usr/local/bin/delayed-start.sh

      • Place or uncomment a command to start the validator client(s)

        /usr/local/bin/staking.sh start validators

      • Verify, that a service `delayed-start.service` exists and is automatically launched on system start.

        sudo systemctl enable delayed-start.service