Introduction
In this video, Trevor, a software engineer at Cell Labs, provides a tutorial on how to run a validator on Baklava, an incentivized test net for the Celo blockchain. He explains the purpose of the tutorial and mentions that Baklava is currently in phase 1.1, serving as a playground for validators to familiarize themselves with Celo.
Understanding Validators
Trevor begins by discussing the concept of validators and their role in the Celo network. Validators are a specific type of node that communicate with each other, propose and agree upon blocks, and use Byzantine fault tolerance consensus. He emphasizes that only a limited number of validators participate in consensus at a given time and explains the process of being elected as a validator.
Architecture Overview
Trevor presents a diagram illustrating the architecture of the setup for running a validator. He highlights the importance of running the validator behind proxies to prevent DDoS attacks. Additionally, he mentions the presence of an attestation service, which allows users to link their phone numbers to Celo addresses.
Setting Up the Validator
Trevor guides viewers through the step-by-step process of setting up a validator. He explains the various accounts required, including the validator account, validator group account, and proxy account. The setup involves creating and configuring these accounts, running the proxy to sync with the network, running the validator, and using the CLI to register and authorize the validator.
Validating and Syncing
Once the initial setup is complete, Trevor demonstrates how the validator interacts with the network. He explains the process of affiliation between the validator and validator group, and verifies the successful affiliation. At this stage, the validator is waiting for the next epoch to participate in voting.
Attestation Service
Trevor moves on to set up the attestation service, which is a separate node service used for attesting phone numbers. He deploys the attestation service and provides instructions for configuring it. He encounters an issue with metadata upload and discusses possible solutions, deciding to continue following the instructions.
Troubleshooting and Verifying
Trevor encounters a troubleshooting issue related to metadata registration. He discusses the problem and decides to continue following the instructions. He verifies the status of the attestation service and its connectivity with the network.
Conclusion
Trevor concludes the video, mentioning that further steps are involved, such as configuring the HTTP port and deploying a text message service for phone number verification. He acknowledges the challenges faced during the process and expresses excitement about the progress made.