# GaiaNet setup Node

By [AetherWatcher](https://paragraph.com/@aetherwatcher) · 2024-09-16

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### Prerequisites

Before starting, make sure you meet the following requirements:

1.  **Server Requirements:**
    
    *   Linux-based operating system (Ubuntu 20.04 LTS recommended)
        
    *   4+ CPUs
        
    *   8+ GB of RAM
        
    *   200 GB SSD storage
        
    *   Reliable internet connection (1 Gbps recommended)
        
2.  **Software Requirements:**
    
    *   Latest version of `Go` (1.18 or higher)
        
    *   Git
        
    *   GaiaNet source code
        
3.  **Wallet:**
    
    *   You’ll need a GaiaNet wallet to become a validator. Create one via the GaiaNet wallet interface or CLI.
        

### Step 1: Server Setup

#### Update and Install Dependencies

Before you begin setting up the node, make sure to update your system packages:

    sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
    

Install necessary dependencies:

    sudo apt install -y build-essential git curl jq
    

### Step 2: Install Go

GaiaNet requires `Go` for compiling its binaries. Install it by running:

    curl -OL https://golang.org/dl/go1.19.5.linux-amd64.tar.gz
    sudo tar -C /usr/local -xzf go1.19.5.linux-amd64.tar.gz
    

Add Go to your environment variables:

    echo "export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/go/bin" >> ~/.profile
    source ~/.profile
    

Verify the installation:

    go version
    

### Step 3: Clone GaiaNet Source Code

Clone the GaiaNet repository from GitHub:

    git clone https://github.com/GaiaNetProject/gaianet.git
    cd gaianet
    

Checkout the latest stable version:

### Step 4: Build GaiaNet Binary

Now, you need to build the GaiaNet binary:

    make install
    

Ensure the binary is correctly installed by checking the version:

### Step 5: Configure the Node

Initialize the node by running:

    gaianetd init <your-node-name> --chain-id=gaia-mainnet
    

This will create the basic configuration and genesis files for your node.

### Step 6: Download Genesis File and Seeds

Fetch the genesis file from the GaiaNet official repository:

    curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/GaiaNetProject/mainnet/master/genesis.json
    mv genesis.json ~/.gaianetd/config/genesis.json
    

Set persistent peers and seeds in the `config.toml` file:

    nano ~/.gaianetd/config/config.toml
    

Look for the `seeds` and `persistent_peers` fields and add official peers:

    seeds = "node1@seed.gaiainet.org:26656,node2@seed.gaiainet.org:26656"
    

### Step 7: Start GaiaNet Node

Now that your node is configured, start the GaiaNet service:

    gaianetd start
    

Your node will begin syncing with the GaiaNet blockchain. Depending on your server and internet speed, the syncing process may take some time.

### Step 8: Create a Validator

Once the node is synced, you’re ready to create a validator. First, ensure your wallet has enough funds to meet the staking requirements.

Delegate tokens to create your validator using the following command:

    gaianetd tx staking create-validator \
      --amount 1000000ugaia \
      --pubkey $(gaianetd tendermint show-validator) \
      --moniker <your-validator-name> \
      --chain-id gaia-mainnet \
      --commission-rate "0.10" \
      --commission-max-rate "0.20" \
      --commission-max-change-rate "0.01" \
      --min-self-delegation "1" \
      --gas auto \
      --from <your-wallet-name>
    

This command will create your validator node on the GaiaNet network.

### Step 9: Monitor Your Node

You can monitor your node’s status using the following command:

    gaianetd status
    

To view logs:

    journalctl -u gaianetd -f
    

### Conclusion

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up a validator node on the GaiaNet blockchain. By participating as a validator, you contribute to the security and efficiency of the network. Keep your node online, monitor its performance regularly, and ensure you follow GaiaNet updates for any critical changes.

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*Originally published on [AetherWatcher](https://paragraph.com/@aetherwatcher/gaianet-setup-node)*