This is an updated guide on setting up a mainnet validator. Note that this is a minimal guide and does not cover more advanced topics like [sentry node architecture](https://github.com/stakefish/cosmos-validator-design) and [double signing protection](https://github.com/tendermint/tmkms). It is strongly recommended that any parties considering validating do additional research. If you have questions, please join the active conversation in the #validators thread of our [__Discord Channel__](https://discord.com/invite/kQzh3Uv).
## Installing Kava
### Prerequisites
You should select an all-purpose server with at least 8GB of RAM, good connectivity, and a solid state drive with sufficient disk space. Storage requirements are discussed further in the section below. In addition, you’ll need to open **port 26656** to connect to the Kava peer-to-peer network. As the usage of the blockchain grows, the server requirements may increase as well, so you should have a plan for updating your server as well.
### Storage
The monthly storage requirements for a node are as follows. These are estimated values based on experience, but should serve as a good guide.
- An archival node (`pruning = "nothing"`) grows at a rate of ~100 GB per month
- A fully pruning node (`pruning = "everything"`) grows at a rate of ~5 GB per month
- A default pruning node (`pruning = “default”`) grows at a rate of ~25 GB per month
## Install Go
Kava is built using Go and requires Go version 1.13+. In this example, you will be installing Go on a fresh install of ubuntu 18.04.
```bash
# Update ubuntu
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y
# Install packages necessary to run go and jq for pretty formatting command line outputs
sudo apt install build-essential jq -y
# Install go
wget https://dl.google.com/go/go1.17.1.linux-amd64.tar.gz (or latest version at https://golang.org/dl/)
Next, adjust some configurations. To open the config file:
```bash
vim $HOME/.kvd/config/config.toml
```
At line 160, add [seeds](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TWsD2lMi1idkPI6W9xFCn5W64x75yn9PDjvQaJVkIRk/edit?usp=sharing). These are used to connect to the peer-to-peer network:
At line 163, add some [persistent peers](https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TWsD2lMi1idkPI6W9xFCn5W64x75yn9PDjvQaJVkIRk/edit?usp=sharing), which help maintain a connection to the peer-to-peer network
Next, chose how much historical state you want to store. To open the application config file:
```bash
vim $HOME/.kvd/config/app.toml
```
In this file, choose between `default`, `nothing`, and `everything`. To reduce hard drive storage, choose `everything` or `default`. To run an archival node, chose `nothing`.
```bash
pruning = "default"
```
In the same file, you will want to set minimum gas prices — setting a minimum prevents spam transactions:
```bash
minimum-gas-prices = "0.001ukava"
```
### Syncing Your Node
To sync your node, you will use systemd, which manages the Kava daemon and automatically restarts it in case of failure. To use systemd, you will create a service file. Be sure to replace `<your_user>` with the user on your server:
```bash
sudo tee /etc/systemd/system/kvd.service > /dev/null <<'EOF'
The main thing to watch is that the block height is increasing. Once you are caught up with the chain, `catching_up` will become false. At that point, you can start using your node to create a validator. If you need to sync using a snapshot, please use https://kava.quicksync.io/
To check the logs of the node:
```bash
sudo journalctl -u kvd -f
```
## Creating a Validator
First, create a wallet, which will give you a private key / public key pair for your node.
```bash
# Replace <your-key-name> with a name for your key that you will remember
kvcli keys add <your-key-name>
# To see a list of wallets on your node
kvcli keys list
```
**Be sure to write down the mnemonic for your wallet and store it securely. Losing your mnemonic could result in the irrecoverable loss of KAVA tokens.**
To see the options when creating a validator:
```bash
kvcli tx staking create-validator -h
```
An example of creating a validator with 50KAVA self-delegation and 10% commission:
```bash
# Replace <key_name> with the key you created previously
kvcli tx staking create-validator \
--amount=50000000ukava \
--pubkey=$(kvd tendermint show-validator) \
--moniker="choose moniker" \
--website="optional website for your validator"
--details="optional details for your validator"
--commission-rate="0.10" \
--commission-max-rate="0.20" \
--commission-max-change-rate="0.01" \
--min-self-delegation="1" \
--from=<key_name> \
--chain-id=kava-8 \
--gas=auto
--gas-adjustment=1.4
```
To check on the status of your validator:
```bash
kvcli status --output json | jq '.validator_info'
```
After you have completed this guide, your validator should be up and ready to receive delegations. Note that only the top 100 validators by weighted stake (self-delegations + other delegations) are eligible for block rewards. To view the current validator list, checkout one of the Kava block explorers:
- https://www.mintscan.io/kava
- https://kava.bigdipper.live/
- https://kavascan.com/
If you have questions, please join the active conversation in the #validators thread of the [__Kava Discord Channel__](https://discord.com/invite/kQzh3Uv).
