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Setting up a Validator Node

This guide will walk you through the process of setting up and running a Trunk validator node. Validators play a crucial role in the Trunk network by verifying and processing transactions.

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Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure you have the following installed:

• Node.js (v18 or higher)
• npm (v9 or higher)
• Git

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Quick Start

Follow these steps to get your validator node up and running:

1. Clone the Trunk Network repository:

git clone https://github.com/trunk/network.git
cd network

2. Install dependencies:

npm install

3. Configure your validator:

cp .env.example .env

Edit the .env file and set your validator configuration:

VALIDATOR_NAME=my-validator
VALIDATOR_PORT=8545
NETWORK_ENV=testnet

4. Start the validator:

npm run validator:serve

Your validator should now be running and connecting to the Trunk network.

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Configuration Options

The following configuration options are available in the .env file:

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Monitoring

Once your validator is running, you can monitor its status:

1. View validator logs:

npm run validator:logs

2. Check validator status:

npm run validator:status

3. View network metrics at http://localhost:8545/metrics

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Best Practices

• Regularly update your validator software
• Monitor system resources
• Use secure credentials
• Maintain good network connectivity
• Back up your validator configuration

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Troubleshooting

Common issues and solutions:

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Validator Won’t Start

• Check if the port is already in use
• Verify Node.js version
• Ensure all dependencies are installed

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Network Connection Issues

• Check your firewall settings
• Verify network configuration
• Ensure your node can reach other network peers

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Performance Issues

• Monitor system resources
• Check log files for errors
• Verify hardware meets minimum requirements

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Next Steps

• Connect to the Network
• Contribute to Development
• Network Architecture

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Support

If you need help with your validator setup:

• Join our Discord
• Visit our GitHub
• Check the Explorer