Developers
Validators
Stake a Validator

Stake a Validator

What You'll Learn

  • Complete step-by-step process to stake and register as a validator on Allora Network
  • How to verify node synchronization and fund validator accounts properly
  • Creating and configuring validator stake information with proper parameters
  • Verification methods to confirm successful validator registration and operation

Overview

Follow these steps to stake on a node in the Allora network. This process includes running and syncing a full node, funding your account, and setting up your Validator for staking.

Why Become a Validator?

Network Contribution:

  • Security provision: Help secure the Allora blockchain through consensus participation
  • Network governance: Participate in important protocol decisions and upgrades
  • Economic incentives: Earn rewards for honest validation and network maintenance
  • Community impact: Support decentralization and network resilience

Professional Benefits:

  • Technical expertise: Gain deep understanding of blockchain infrastructure operations
  • Network influence: Shape the future direction of the Allora ecosystem
  • Revenue generation: Earn consistent rewards through validation activities
  • Reputation building: Establish credibility within the blockchain community

Prerequisites

  • Successfully run and synced a full allorad node. Refer to Running a Full Node for detailed instructions.
  • Basic command-line and Docker knowledge.
  • Access to the node's terminal or command line.

Technical Requirements

Infrastructure Prerequisites:

  • Fully synchronized node: Complete blockchain synchronization before staking
  • System resources: Adequate hardware meeting validator requirements
  • Network connectivity: Stable internet connection for continuous operation
  • Operational knowledge: Understanding of Docker, command-line interfaces, and blockchain concepts

Step-by-Step Validation Process

Step 1: Verify Node Sync

Ensure your node is fully synced with the network by executing the following command:

curl -s http://localhost:26657/status | jq .result.sync_info.catching_up

Wait until the output returns false, indicating your node has caught up with the network.

Synchronization Verification

Why This Matters:

  • Data integrity: Ensure you have the complete and current blockchain state
  • Consensus readiness: Confirm ability to participate in network consensus
  • Performance optimization: Avoid penalties from operating on outdated data
  • Network stability: Contribute to overall network health and reliability

Troubleshooting Sync Issues:

  • Extended sync times: Large blockchains may require several hours to fully sync
  • Network connectivity: Verify stable internet connection throughout sync process
  • Resource availability: Ensure sufficient disk space and system resources
  • Peer connectivity: Confirm connection to healthy network peers

Step 2: Fund Your Account

After initializing your node, scripts/l1_node.sh generates key and account information, found in data/*.account_info. Locate your account address within this file to fund it.

cat data/validator0.account_info
 
- address: allo1xxxxx
  name: validator0
  pubkey: xxx
  type: local
[...]

For testnet environments, use the appropriate faucet.

Account Funding Strategy

Funding Requirements:

  • Minimum stake: Sufficient tokens to meet validator minimum stake requirements
  • Transaction fees: Additional tokens for network operations and transactions
  • Operational buffer: Extra funds for ongoing network participation and emergencies
  • Future upgrades: Reserve funds for protocol upgrades and maintenance

Security Considerations:

  • Key management: Secure storage of private keys and mnemonic phrases
  • Access control: Limit access to validator accounts and infrastructure
  • Backup procedures: Maintain secure backups of critical account information
  • Monitoring: Track account balances and transaction history

Step 3: Stake as a Validator

To become a validator, perform the following inside the validator's Docker container environment. You can choose your validator's name by setting a custom moniker (with --moniker=...). We will take the example of validator0 with 10000000 uallo.

Access the Validator's Shell

Use docker compose to access the validator's shell environment:

docker compose exec validator0 bash

Note: You can list all available keys with:

allorad --home=$APP_HOME keys --keyring-backend=test list

Container Environment Benefits:

  • Isolated execution: Run validator commands in controlled environment
  • Configuration consistency: Ensure proper environment variables and settings
  • Security isolation: Separate validator operations from host system
  • Simplified management: Streamlined access to validator tools and commands

Prepare Stake Information

Within the validator's shell, create a JSON file named stake-validator.json with your validator's stake information. Replace values with your actual data:

cat > stake-validator.json << EOF
{
    "pubkey": $(allorad --home=$APP_HOME comet show-validator),
    "amount": "1000000uallo",
    "moniker": "$(echo $MONIKER)",
    "commission-rate": "0.1",
    "commission-max-rate": "0.2",
    "commission-max-change-rate": "0.01",
    "min-self-delegation": "1"
}
EOF
Configuration Parameters Explained

Core Validator Settings:

  • pubkey: Validator's public key for network identification and consensus
  • amount: Stake amount in the smallest denomination (uallo)
  • moniker: Human-readable name for your validator
  • commission-rate: Percentage of rewards kept as validator commission
  • commission-max-rate: Maximum commission rate allowed for this validator
  • commission-max-change-rate: Maximum daily change in commission rate
  • min-self-delegation: Minimum self-delegated stake required

Economic Strategy:

  • Competitive rates: Set commission rates that attract delegators while ensuring profitability
  • Rate management: Plan commission changes carefully to maintain delegator trust
  • Self-delegation: Demonstrate commitment through significant self-staked amounts
  • Market positioning: Balance competitiveness with operational sustainability

Execute the Stake Command

With your stake information file ready, execute the following command to stake as a Validator:

allorad tx staking create-validator ./stake-validator.json \
    --chain-id=allora-testnet-1 \
    --home="$APP_HOME" \
    --keyring-backend=test \
    --from="$MONIKER"

This command outputs a transaction hash, which can be checked on the network's explorer: https://explorer.testnet.allora.network/allora-testnet-1/tx/$TX_HASH.

Transaction Execution Process

Command Components:

  • Configuration file: JSON file containing all validator parameters
  • Chain identification: Specify the correct network chain ID
  • Home directory: Point to the correct node configuration directory
  • Keyring backend: Use appropriate key management system
  • Account source: Specify which account to use for the transaction

Transaction Verification:

  • Hash confirmation: Transaction hash provides proof of successful submission
  • Explorer verification: Use block explorer to confirm transaction inclusion
  • Network propagation: Allow time for transaction to propagate across network
  • Status monitoring: Check transaction status and any error messages

Step 4: Verify Validator Setup

Ensure your validator is properly registered and staked with the network by executing the following commands:

Check Registration and Stake

Retrieve and verify your validator's information by running these 2 commands:

VAL_PUBKEY=$(allorad --home=$APP_HOME comet show-validator | jq -r .key)
allorad --home=$APP_HOME q staking validators -o=json | \
    jq '.validators[] | select(.consensus_pubkey.value=="'$VAL_PUBKEY'")'

This command outputs detailed information about your validator. If it's correctly set up, it will look like this:

{
  "operator_address": "allovaloper1n8t4ffvwstysveuf3ccx9jqf3c6y7kte48qcxm",
  "consensus_pubkey": {
    "type": "tendermint/PubKeyEd25519",
    "value": "gOl6fwPc19BtkmiOGjjharfe6eyniaxdkfyqiko3/cQ="
  },
  "status": 3,
  "tokens": "1000000",
  "delegator_shares": "1000000000000000000000000",
  "description": {
    "moniker": "val2"
  },
  "unbonding_time": "1970-01-01T00:00:00Z",
  "commission": {
    "commission_rates": {
      "rate": "100000000000000000",
      "max_rate": "200000000000000000",
      "max_change_rate": "10000000000000000"
    },
    "update_time": "2024-02-26T22:50:31.187119394Z"
  },
  "min_self_delegation": "1"
}
Validator Information Analysis

Key Response Fields:

  • operator_address: Unique validator identifier for delegation and operations
  • consensus_pubkey: Public key used for block signing and consensus participation
  • status: Validator status (1=unbonded, 2=unbonding, 3=bonded)
  • tokens: Total amount of tokens bonded to this validator
  • delegator_shares: Shares distributed to delegators
  • commission: Commission rate configuration and history

Status Verification:

  • Bonded status: Status 3 indicates active validator participation
  • Token amounts: Verify correct stake amounts are registered
  • Commission settings: Confirm commission rates match your configuration
  • Key verification: Ensure consensus public key matches your validator

Check Voting Power

Verify that your Validator's voting power is greater than 0, indicating active participation in the Network:

allorad --home=$APP_HOME status | jq -r '.validator_info.voting_power'

Note: Please allow 30-60 seconds for the information to update. A voting power greater than 0 signifies a successful stake setup. Congratulations!

Voting Power Analysis

Understanding Voting Power:

  • Consensus weight: Voting power determines influence in block consensus
  • Stake correlation: Voting power is proportional to total delegated stake
  • Network participation: Non-zero voting power indicates active validator status
  • Performance impact: Higher voting power increases responsibility and rewards

Success Indicators:

  • Positive voting power: Confirms successful validator registration and activation
  • Network recognition: Indicates other validators acknowledge your participation
  • Reward eligibility: Qualifies validator for block rewards and commission earnings
  • Consensus participation: Enables participation in network governance and decision-making

Post-Staking Operations

Ongoing Validator Management

Operational Responsibilities:

  • Uptime maintenance: Ensure continuous node operation and availability
  • Performance monitoring: Track validator performance metrics and health
  • Commission management: Adjust commission rates within allowed parameters
  • Delegation growth: Attract and maintain delegator relationships

Security and Maintenance

Best Practices:

  • Key security: Implement robust security measures for validator keys
  • System monitoring: Set up alerts for node issues and performance problems
  • Regular updates: Keep validator software updated with latest releases
  • Backup procedures: Maintain secure backups of critical validator data

Community Engagement

Network Participation:

  • Governance voting: Participate in network governance proposals and decisions
  • Community support: Engage with delegators and community members
  • Technical contributions: Contribute to network improvements and development
  • Educational efforts: Share knowledge and help onboard new participants

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Synchronization Problems

Common Solutions:

  • Peer connectivity: Ensure connection to healthy network peers
  • Resource constraints: Verify adequate system resources (CPU, memory, disk)
  • Network issues: Check internet connectivity and firewall settings
  • Configuration errors: Review node configuration files for accuracy

Staking Transaction Failures

Debugging Steps:

  • Account funding: Verify sufficient balance for stake amount and transaction fees
  • Configuration validation: Check JSON configuration file syntax and values
  • Network connectivity: Ensure stable connection to blockchain network
  • Parameter limits: Verify stake amounts meet minimum requirements

Prerequisites

  • Technical expertise: Strong understanding of blockchain operations and command-line interfaces
  • Infrastructure resources: Properly configured and synchronized validator node
  • Financial commitment: Sufficient tokens for staking and ongoing operations
  • Time availability: Ongoing monitoring and maintenance responsibilities

Next Steps

Run a Full NodeValidator Operations