This comprehensive guide explains how to operate an ENI validator node. We will cover the full lifecycle of a validator, from initial setup to ongoing operations and maintenance. Understanding these concepts is critical for maintaining reliable and secure validator operations.
Understanding Validator Responsibilities
Validators in the ENI network perform several key functions. As a validator, you are responsible for:
Participating in consensus by proposing and validating blocks
Maintaining high uptime and performance to avoid penalties
Providing accurate asset pricing oracle data
Managing delegator relationships and maintaining transparent operations
Participating in governance and network upgrades
Initial Setup
Key Management
Validator security begins with proper key management. Your validator requires several distinct keys:
# Validator Consensus Key - Used for signing blocks
enid tendermint show-validator
# Operator Key - Used for managing validator operations
enid keys add operator
# Oracle Key - Used for price submissions
enid keys add oracle
These keys serve different purposes and should be managed with appropriate security measures. The consensus key, stored in priv_validator_key.json, is particularly critical as it is used to sign blocks.
Hardware Security Module (HSM) Integration
For production validators, using an HSM is strongly recommended. Here’s how to configure an HSM with your validator:
HSM Configuration Steps
```bash
# Install required libraries
sudo apt-get install opensc pkcs11-utils
# Configure YubiHSM2
yubihsm-connector -d
# Generate a key in the HSM
yubihsm-shell
# Configure enid to use the HSM
tee "$HOME/.eni/config/priv_validator_config.json" << EOF
{
"chain_id": "eni-chain",
"key_type": "yubihsm",
"state_file": "$HOME/.eni/data/priv_validator_state.json",
"hsm_serial": "YOUR_HSM_SERIAL",
"hsm_key_id": "YOUR_KEY_ID"
}
EOF
```
Validator Registration
Before registering your validator, ensure your node is fully synced with the network. Then create your validator:
# Notify delegators (recommended at least 24 hours in advance)
# Consider posting to:
# - On-chain governance forum
# - Social media channels
# - Validator website
# Gracefully stop the validator
sudo systemctl stop enid
# Perform maintenance tasks
# Restart services
sudo systemctl start enid
sudo systemctl start price-feeder
Emergency Procedures
Create an emergency response plan:
Emergency Response Procedures
```bash
# 1. If double-signing is detected:
sudo systemctl stop enid
# Check priv_validator_state.json
# Contact team and delegators
# 2. If node is stuck:
enid status
# Check for consensus failure
journalctl -u enid -n 100
# Attempt a safe restart
sudo systemctl restart enid
# 3. If oracle feed fails:
systemctl status price-feeder
# Check price-feeder logs
journalctl -u price-feeder -n 100
# Restart if necessary
sudo systemctl restart price-feeder
```
Governance Participation
As a validator, you have a responsibility to participate in governance. Monitor and vote on proposals:
# List active proposals
enid query gov proposals --status voting_period
# Vote on a proposal
enid tx gov vote 1 yes \
--from operator \
--chain-id eni-chain \
--gas auto \
--gas-prices 0.01ueni
Validator Economics
Understanding validator economics is critical for long-term success:
Commission Rate Strategy: Set competitive rates while ensuring operational sustainability
Delegation Management: Maintain good delegator relationships through transparent communication
Reward Distribution: Rewards are distributed in real-time as blocks are produced
Penalty Risks: Understand and mitigate penalty risks through proper operations
Recovery Procedures
Validator Recovery
If you need to recover your validator on a new machine:
# 1. Set up a new machine with Eni node
# 2. Copy secure backup files
# 3. Restore validator key
gpg -d validator_key_backup.tar.gz.gpg | tar xzf -
# 4. Restore keyring
gpg -d keyring_backup.tar.gz.gpg | tar xzf -
# 5. Start services
sudo systemctl start enid
sudo systemctl start price-feeder
This guide provides the foundation for operating an ENI validator. Keep in mind that validator operations require ongoing attention to security, performance, and network participation. Stay engaged with the ENI community and keep informed about network developments.