Add Nimbus 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/nimbus/vi1

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

     Directory with Deposit Data keystores:

     sudo /usr/local/bin/nimbus-validator import data-dir=/var/lib/nimbus/vi1 $HOME/keystores/ddk_i1

     NOTE: If you have used different passwords for each of your validators you will get an error. Run the process multiple times, providing each of the different passwords until they are all imported. Use the accounts list command to verify.

   • Create a service user for the validator instance

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

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

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

   • Create configuration service file for nimbus-vi1 service

     1. Open the configuration file

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

     2. Copy the configuration below into the file.

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

        [Unit]
        Description=Nimbus Validator Instance (Ethereum Mainnet)
        Wants=network-online.target
        After=network-online.target
        [Service]
        User=teku-vi1
        Group=teku-vi1
        Type=simple
        Restart=always
        RestartSec=5
        ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/nimbus/nimbus_validator_client \
          --network=mainnet \
          --data-dir=/var/lib/nimbus/vi1 \
          --beacon-node=http://127.0.0.1:5052 \
          --suggested-fee-recipient=0xXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX \
          --graffiti="Nethermind+Nimbus"
          # --payload-builder=true --payload-builder-url=https://${HOST}:${PORT}/
         
        [Install]
        WantedBy=multi-user.target

        Notes

        • See more flags at https://nimbus.guide/options.html

        [Unit]
        Description=Nimbus Validator Instance (Gnosis Network)
        Wants=network-online.target
        After=network-online.target
        [Service]
        User=nimbus-vi1
        Group=nimbus-vi1
        Type=simple
        Restart=always
        RestartSec=5
        ExecStart=/usr/local/bin/nimbus/nimbus_validator_client \
          --network=gnosis \
          --data-dir=/var/lib/nimbus/vi1 \
          --beacon-node=http://127.0.0.1:5052 \
          --suggested-fee-recipient=0xXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX \
          --graffiti="Nethermind+Nimbus"
          
        [Install]
        WantedBy=multi-user.target

        See more flags at https://nimbus.guide/options.html

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

   • Stop running validator instance nimbus-vi1

     sudo systemctl stop nimbus-vi1

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

     sudo /usr/local/bin/nimbus-validator import data-dir=/var/lib/nimbus/vi1 $HOME/keystores/ddk_i1

     NOTE: If you have used different passwords for each of your validators you will get an error. Run the process multiple times, providing each of the different passwords until they are all imported. Use the accounts list command to verify.

2. Load processed changes to the system

   sudo systemctl daemon-reload

3. Start the validator instance

   sudo systemctl start nimbus-vi1

4. Check the running validator instance

   systemctl status nimbus-vi1

   journalctl -fu nimbus-vi1

5. Activate service to start automatically

   sudo systemctl enable nimbus-vi1

   • Open Delayed Start shell

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

     Configurate service start inside it

     systemctl start nimbus-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="nimbus-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