Validator Candidate
1. Post introduction to forum
Post a short introduction about yourself and why you want to become a validator on the forum https://forum.poa.network/c/xdai-chain/validators-intro.
2. Generate 4 Ethereum accounts
- Mining key to validate blocks on the network. The mining key will be used on network validator node running parity, so it’s required that you have the json keystore file (and password to decrypt it).
- Voting key to participate in voting/governance. Can be stored on your hardware wallet (ledger/trezor)
- Payout key to collect tx fee reward. Can be stored on your hardware wallet (ledger/trezor)
- Bridge validator key for use on the bridge validator node, it is required that you have the private key for this account.
Generate the Mining key, Voting key, and Payout key
The POA Ceremony DApp provides a convenient interface to get all 3 keys. If you would prefer, you can use a different tool to generate your keys.
- In MetaMask or Nifty Wallet connect to xDAI chain RPC endpoint (RPC URL = https://dai.poa.network, network ID = 100)
- Go to https://ceremony.poa.network/#just-generate-keys
- A zip file with key information should be automatically downloaded to your computer. If this is not the case, manually copy each address and password, matching them to the correct section (Mining, Payout, Voting).
Store this information securely, preferably on an encrypted drive (e.g. usb drive). If keys are lost, you must have your old keys voted out and new ones voted in.
Generate the bridge validator account
Create a new account and export and save the private key. Use your preferred method to create a key pair. MyCrypto, MetaMask, etc. allow you to easily create and download a private key.
3. Fund the bridge account [optional]
Send a small amount of ETH (eg 1 ETH) to the bridge validator account you just created. The balance should be monitored and a minimal amount continuously stored at this address for bridge operations. If preferred, you can wait on this step until after you have been confirmed as a new validator.
4. Announce your addresses
Announce your generated addresses in the forum, you can post the public (no private info!) addresses here. Current validators will then have this information, and one of them can create a ballot to elect you as a new validator.
Note: Node configuration occurs after your are elected as a validator (Phase 3)
- Phase 2: Current Validator Process shows next steps for creating and voting on a ballot.
- Phase 3: Newly Elected Validator Process shows steps for setting up nodes once elected.
General Process Flow
| Phase 1 Validator Candidate |
Phase 2 Current Validators |
Phase 3 Newly Elected Validator |
|
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Post introduction in forum | ||
| 2 | Generate Ethereum accounts | ||
| 3 | Fund bridge account | ||
| 4 | Announce generated accounts | ||
| 5 | Add a validator ballot | ||
| 6 | Vote on a candidate ballot | ||
| 7 | Install network validator node | ||
| 8 | Finalize Ballot | ||
| 9 | Add new validator to bridge (if applicable) | ||
| 10 | Set metadata | ||
| 11 | Install bridge validator node (if applicable) |