Non-Validator Node Setup
A Non-Validator Node is a node that does not participate in the consensus process or block production. This often used by developers, dApps, exchanges, or individuals who need to query the blockchain.
This section will guide you through setting up a Non-Validator Node on W Chain.
Step 1: Prepare the System
Before starting, ensure your system meets the minimum requirements for running a node:
vCPUs: 2 or more
Memory: At least 8GB
Disk Space: At least 1TB (SSD or NVMe recommended for optimal performance)
Operating System: Ubuntu 20.04, 22.04, or 24.04
Internet Connection: A broadband connection with at least 5Mbps upload/download speed.
It's possible to run a node from a local dedicated server, but it's recommended to run it on a professional cloud providers such as AWS, Digital Ocean, Azure or GCP.
Step 2: Install Dependencies
Make sure you have up-to-date version of Ubuntu, Git and NPM installed.
Step 3: Prepare Directory
Step 4: Download files from latest Release
You need to select the suitable binary based on your Operating System and architecture. You can contact your Cloud Computing Provider if you are not sure about yours.
In this guide, we will use the most common one: Linux (amd64), as it's widely used in AWS EC2 instances.
Download BInary File
In this example we are using v.1.0.6
After the download complete, print your directory contents to get the downloaded file name:
The file name will be in this format: "w-chain-node_" + version tag
+ system
+ "_" + architecture
+ ".tar.gz". Extract the file:
Rename the file (Optional, but important for better UX):
Download genesis.json
genesis.json
You don't need to change anything from this genesis.json, just make sure it exists in the same directory with your binary file.
Step 5: Verify Files
Make sure both binary file and genesis.json is correctly downloaded and in stored in same directory.
Turn the binary file into executable:
Verify the version:
[VERSION INFO]
Release version = 1.0.6
Step 6: Initialize Keys and Blockchain Data Directories
This command will initialize data directory and validator keys:
Step 7: Create Server Config
The node is basically a server that will run 24/7, responding to queries and persisting blocks to database. Instead of passing the configs as flags to server
command, it's strongly recommended to store the server configs in a json/yaml file.
Run this command (in /w-chain
directory) to generate server config template:
You will see a file, default-config.json
created.
Now, we will edit this config file to adjust with your actual server configuration.
This config below assuming you are following previous steps convention on directory creation. It also recommended to use absolute path, which can be different from system to system (usually /home/user/w-chain)
genesis.json
location
genesis.json
locationPath to Data Directory
Ports
NAT Address is your server/instance's Public IP
Minimum Gas Price accepted and Seal flag
Step 9: Create a System Service
To keep your Node instance running as a background service, you need to define the service. Run this on your terminal (inside your server/instance).
The text editor will open a blank page. Copy-paste the texts below into it:
Then save and exit the text editor.
Once again, this is assuming you are following the directory and filename convention from previous steps. Your system may have different absolute path and different user, please adjust as needed.
Step 10: Enable and Run the Node Service
After installing new service, you have to reload the service daemon and enable the service.
Then start the service:
Congratulations! Your node is now running and will start to catch up with the network, this may take few days, depends on the block-height and the I/O performance of your node.
Important Commands to Maintain and Monitor Your Node
Service
Logging
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