Running Validator Node

A short guide to set up an Ethereum validator with ChainUp Cloud as your validator as a service provider. If you simply just want to stake Eth, it is recommended to check out the Ethereum Staking Guide instead.

Prerequisites

a. A compatible wallet (currently only supports Metamask) that holds more than 32 Eth

b. Generate Validator Keys (keystore_timestamp.json), which can be done through the Ethereum launchpad (Mainnet, Goerli) and the deposit-cli tool.

c. Deposit 32 Eth (with your deposit_data-timestamp.json) either through the Abyss Eth2 Depositer (which currently supports only Mainnet and Goerli) or Ethereum launchpad (Mainnet, Goerli).

Eth2 Launchpad Demo Walkthrough

The following video walkthrough covers prerequisites b and c.

1. Creating an Account

Step 1: Users are able to sign up on ChainUp Cloud.

Sign Up

Step 2: Login to ChainUp Cloud with your newly created account.

Login

2. Upload Validator Keys

Step 1: Click on Ethereum 2 (sidebar). Make sure, you are in the Ethereum2 subpage, and click on the Host Button.

Eth2 Validator Dashboard

We assume users have already completed all the prerequisites prior to reaching this step

Step 2: Choose the network you are going to use and connect your Metamask wallet.

Make Deposit - Hosting your own nodes

ChainUp Cloud is still providing support for the Ropsten Testnet. You can manually add the Ropsten network to your wallet with our Blockchain API.

Step 3: If you have deposited 32 Eth through the official staking launchpad or Abyss Eth2 Depositer (prerequisites b and c), the wallet details should be reflected on the dashboard.

Make Deposit - Check Your Wallet Details

Step 4: Create validator by checking Yes for the following two options.

Create validator

Step 5: Import the keys (keystore_timestamp.json) and password - this has been generated from the deposit-cli tool by following the video above.

Import Keys - upload deposit_data.json

Step 6: Done and set! You can now click through the confirmation steps and validator should be active soon.

Dashboard showing validator status.

After the initial 32 Eth deposit, you may check back after some time or so, as it may take more than 12 hours for a transaction to reach the deposit contract on Beacon Chain.

Sign up now to start running your own validators and discover the wonders of ChainUp Cloud!