1.1 Precautions
The validator setup is the first step for anyone aspiring to participate in a blockchain consensus. In this section, we cover the initial processes for securely generating validator keys and the launchpad walkthrough. Regardless of which blockchain clients you choose or whether you are running the software on a dedicated server or at home, it’s crucial to prepare thoroughly.
If you're not quite sure about Hardware Preparations, Blockchain Fundamentals, or the basics of Node Operations, please refer to the 🧠 Theory section to build a solid foundation of knowledge before continuing with the validator or node setup.
In case you dont want to participate in the staking process and just intend to setup a regular network peer to access, stabalize, and synchronize the blockchain data, you can skip this step and move to the Hardware Setup or Client Setup sections.
Validator nodes play a crucial role in the blockchain network, participating in the consensus mechanism to validate transactions and create new blocks. As such, the security of these validator nodes and their associated keys is of utmost importance. Generating your validator keys on a clean, offline device that has never touched the internet during setup is an ideal practice.
Benefit | Description |
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By generating validator keys on a clean, offline device, you reduce exposure to potential online threats, including malware, hacking, and other forms of cyberattacks. With no internet connection, the chances of a hacker accessing your keys are essentially zero. | |
Generating keys offline ensures that you have complete control over the entire process. The private keys are not exposed to third-party services, minimizing the risk of unauthorized access or leakage. A clean operating system installation is an excellent method to establish this security, as it prevents other programs or services from copying clipboards or storing data until the network connection is restored. | |
A clean device implies a system free of potential spyware, adware, or other malicious software that could compromise your keys. Eliminating this risk is crucial, as such threats might record your keystrokes or screen data and expose your private keys. | |
An offline device is inherently immune to remote attacks. Hackers cannot penetrate a system that is not connected to a network. | |
Offline key generation ensures that no traces of your keys are left online, thereby providing maximum privacy. |
For the above reasons, please ensure you have a machine that can be flashed or used as a key-generation device. In case you only have your node device, please perform the key generation on your node before flashing the system and setting up the node's operating system.