Moving a Validating Node

This guide is for active validators who want to move their node to another machine.

note

Starting with node version 1.5, operators need to move the unit files at the database level. This step allows moving the node with nearly zero rewards loss.

Swapping Keys with a Hot Backup

This method limits downtime and enables a smooth transition from the old to the new node. It keeps the node in sync with the tip of the chain.

1. Once a node is running (current_node), create a second node (backup_node) on another machine. These two nodes will run in parallel.
2. When the backup_node is up to date, stop the current_node.
3. Move the unit files at the DB level using rsync. This step allows moving the node with nearly zero rewards loss.
4. Stop the backup_node.
5. Swap keys on the backup_node, now the new validator.
6. Restart the backup_node.
7. Swap keys on the current_node, now the new backup.
8. Restart the current_node.

Preparation for swapping

1. Let both nodes synchronize to the tip of the blockchain. Keep the current validating node running with the original validator keyset.

2. Prepare to swap keys by following these steps:

   • Create the following folder structure on both nodes under the /etc/casper/validator_keys/ directory.
   • Create subdirectories for the current_node and backup_node.
   • Copy each node's keyset under the corresponding directories.

    /etc/casper/validator_keys/
    ├── public_key.pem
    ├── public_key_hex
    ├── secret_key.pem
    ├── current_node
    │   ├── public_key.pem
    │   ├── public_key_hex
    │   └── secret_key.pem
    └── backup_node
    |   ├── public_key.pem
    |   ├── public_key_hex
    |   └── secret_key.pem

This setup allows key swapping by running the sudo -u casper cp * ../ command, as shown below.

Swapping the nodes

1. When the backup_node is up to date, stop the current_node.

2. On the backup_node (the future validator), use rsync to move the unit files from the current_node, located in /var/lib/casper/casper-node/[NETWORK_NAME]/unit_files.

3. On the backup_node, run these commands to stop the node, swap keys, and restart the node:

   sudo systemctl stop casper-node-launcher
   cd /etc/casper/validator_keys/current_node
   sudo -u casper cp * ../
   sudo systemctl start casper-node-launcher

4. On the current_node, run these commands to stop the node and swap keys:

   sudo systemctl stop casper-node-launcher
   cd /etc/casper/validator_keys/backup_node
   sudo -u casper cp * ../

5. Restart the original validator node (current_node), which is now the new backup:

   sudo systemctl start casper-node-launcher 

Understanding rewards impact

After swapping, the new validator node shows no round length until an era transition occurs and will lose all rewards from the point of the switch until the end of that era. The validator is not ejected but will receive rewards starting with the next era.

tip

You could time the swap right before the era ends to minimize reward losses.

Checking file permissions

After the swap, check and fix file permissions by running the /etc/casper/node_util.py utility.