How to Become a Shardeum Validator
Learn how to become a Shardeum validator with our easy seven-step guide, covering the essential hardware and software requirements to get...
Learn how to become a Shardeum validator with our easy seven-step guide, covering the essential hardware and software requirements to get...
Shardeum is a Layer 1 ‘autoscaling’ blockchain platform designed for linear scaling, consistently low gas fees, and true decentralization. If you wonder why existing blockchains falter, especially during peak demand with unpredictable fees and network congestion, it comes to one of their fundamentals problems i.e. architectural reliance on vertical scaling. Once these networks reach their maximum throughput, they attempt to scale vertically. But what’s the difference between vertical and horizontal scaling, and how does each impact network performance?
Shardeum achieves linear scalability through dynamic state sharding and processing transactions individually rather than at the block level. As validator nodes are added, the network’s throughput increases proportionally, maintaining performance regardless of demand. Additionally, Shardeum dynamically adjusts the number of shards—individual groups or partitions of the network—based on demand. This flexibility helps keep operational costs low and enhances efficiency, which in turn maintains low gas fees on the network.
Given this framework, validator nodes hold a pivotal role in Shardeum. Let’s quickly explore the different types of nodes within Shardeum.
Below are the main types of nodes that will operate on Shardeum.
These nodes order network transactions in a FCFS manner and validate them by actively participating in the consensus process. Therefore, they are also known as active validators. Validator nodes store only the state of the accounts/shards they manage, ensuring they remain lightweight, while historical data is offloaded to archive nodes. To participate, validators must stake SHM and will face slashing penalties for non-compliance with network protocols, such as leaving the network prematurely or failing to sync on time. Shardeum rewards honest and compliant validators with SHM.
Standby nodes are essentially validator nodes within the network that are not actively participating in consensus. These nodes enable the Shardeum network to scale quickly when transaction volume increases. Beyond scaling, standby nodes enhance network security where they periodically replace the longest-serving active validators at the end of each 60 second cycle. This rotation ensures broader participation and opportunity across the network. Standby nodes must have SHM staked to become active and are eligible for rewards only after successfully completing their active validator period.
Note: When a node joins the Shardeum network, it initially enters the standby list before being randomly selected to validate transactions.
Archive nodes store the complete history of transactions, necessitating significantly higher hardware requirements compared to validator nodes. Consequently, the rewards for operating an archive node are commensurately greater.
There is a famous saying among our community that “anyone can run a node on Shardeum”. Shardeum is committed to making blockchain technology widely accessible by enabling average users to use their existing computer resources and participate in the consensus process, validate transactions, and earn rewards. On most blockchains, vertical scalability limit participation to those with advanced hardware or costly VPS subscriptions, leading to high centralization and potential security vulnerabilities.
Shardeum’s linear scalability ensures that validator nodes can operate with minimal hardware requirements, making it feasible for the average computer user to contribute and benefit. Now that you have a fair understanding of how validators function, let’s explore the step-by-step process of becoming a validator on Shardeum blockchain.
To run a node on Shardeum, here are the key steps based on current testnet requirements. Please note that these requirements are subject to change with the mainnet launch, and this overview is intended to give you a preliminary understanding.
The current (testnet) minimum hardware requirement is as follows:
a. 250 GB SSD storage
b. Quad core CPU less than 10 years old if self hosting
c. Dual core CPU works if hosted with newer Xeons / EPYC
d. 16 GB of ram, 4+ GB of virtual memory recommended
e. Hosting: 8 GB RAM + 8 GB Virtual Memory
Before you host and set up your node, ensure that your server—whether self-hosted or through cloud providers—meets the minimum required configurations to prevent performance issues.
The current minimum staking amount is 2400 SHM.
Shardeum’s minimum stake is denominated in USD, although it must be staked in SHM. For example, if 1 SHM equals $1, you would need to purchase and stake $2400 worth of SHM to meet the minimum requirement.
It is further recommended that validators on Shardeum stake more than the minimum requirement as a precautionary ‘top-up.’ This means they will have enough stake if the staking requirement changes or, in the unlikely scenario, they are slashed.
Online services like websites and email require hosting primarily to ensure they are continuously accessible over the internet. Hosting provides the necessary infrastructure, which includes hardware and software resources, to keep these services online and available 24/7, regardless of user location.
Similarly, hosting plays a crucial role in maintaining nodes on a blockchain. Nodes require continuous uptime and network connectivity to validate transactions, store blockchain data, and participate in consensus mechanisms. Choose a hosting solution that meets the minimum hardware requirements of Shardeum and aligns with your needs:
a. Self-host: Full control over your node maximizing network decentralization; More setup steps that may require technical expertise
b. Cloud/VPS Providers: Moderate control; Simpler setup that, typically, do not require technical expertise
c. One Click Setup: Limited control; Easiest setup that do not require technical expertise
The second and third options involve utilizing cloud providers to operate your nodes. They simplify the process of node deployment by outsourcing much of the technical setup and maintenance. In both the cases, users do not need to manage the physical hardware directly and can leverage cloud-based infrastructure to keep their nodes running. They provide a balance between convenience and contributing to network decentralization. Nevertheless, make sure your hosting meets the minimum hardware requirements of Shardeum.
And if you opt for the one-click node setup, you can bypass all the 1-7 setup steps outlined here and begin operating your node immediately after paying a service fee, requiring minimal involvement on your part. However, even if you opt for one-click solutions, it’s still beneficial to review the remaining steps outlined here. While these steps are primarily for users who choose self-hosting and VPS solutions, understanding them will provide a broader perspective on what it takes to run and maintain a node on Shardeum more holistically.
Now that you have set up necessary hardware and hosting, next step is installing the necessary software to connect to Shardeum network. This software serves as the operational interface between your hardware and the Shardeum blockchain network. It enables your computer to act as a node, which can be configured to validate transactions.
The installation process involves downloading the latest version of the node client from the official Shardeum documentation. You can follow the installation instructions provided, which include configuring network settings and validator credentials, to optimize performance and security.
The Shardeum Validator Dashboard, a feature often missing from traditional blockchain setups, simplifies your node operation. Typically, interacting with the blockchain, operating your node, and maintaining it requires technical expertise and command-line interactions. Shardeum’s dashboard allows you to operate and monitor your node’s performance in real-time, and adjust configurations with just a few clicks.
Begin by downloading the Shardeum Validator Dashboard software with the help of official guide. Once installed, connect to the dashboard using your validator credentials. This connection allows you to access a comprehensive suite of tools designed to monitor and update your node software with the latest Shardeum upgrades, which is essential for keeping your node operational.
Next, you can connect your wallet to Shardeum network by clicking on the blue button “Connect to Shardeum Atomium” in this page.
And then you can follow this video tutorial to claim your SHM tokens (note: these are test SHM tokens as we are not yet live). On the mainnet, users will need to possess a specific quantity of tokens to stake and operate a node.
Deposit the required amount of SHM tokens as collateral to activate your node, allowing it to participate in transaction validation and earn rewards.
Maintaining your node is crucial for ensuring its long-term performance, reliability and maximum returns within the Shardeum network. Regular maintenance involves, but not limited to:
By following healthy maintenance practices, you can ensure that your node remains a strong, effective participant in the Shardeum network, contributing to its overall health and decentralization. Again, we will detail the comprehensive list of healthy practices officially ahead of mainnet.
If you neglect node maintenance, you can expect the following impacts, but not limited to:
Rewards begin to accumulate immediately after a standby node transitions into the active set, marking the start of its reward accrual period. The node continues to earn rewards throughout its active phase until it is rotated back to the standby set. However, rewards can be claimed manually when validators, now back in the standby set, submit both unjoin and unstake transactions. Additionally, any node that has been rotated out of the active set must wait for 2 or 3 cycles before they can submit an unstake transaction. This delay ensures compliance with network rules, allowing for the penalization and slashing of nodes that violate these rules.
You can find specific instructions on unstaking, updating and uninstalling validators here. To reiterate, these instructions will be further finetuned prior to the mainnet launch.
Note: Nodes can also expect to get governance rights expanded over time after mainnet launch, similar to other decentralized L1 blockchains.
As Shardeum’s architecture relies on the continuous availability of individual nodes to scale, we are committed to democratizing the participation of all types of users in decentralized systems. After all, that’s the essence of permissionless networks, right? While there may be reasonable barriers to entry, they are designed to facilitate scaling without compromising security or decentralization. We are also actively developing mechanisms, based on community feedback from our surveys to determine how we can further lower the entry barrier. Please stay tuned for an official update on this matter.
Yes, anyone can run a node on the Shardeum, indeed!
Look out for future blogs that will cover the benefits of running nodes, node maintenance, penalties, and common troubleshooting steps in greater detail.
Here are some of the official and community-sourced video tutorials of the above process:
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