Validator Node
The essentials for running a Mina validator node.
This section covers everything you need to set up and operate a basic Mina validator node — from initial requirements through day-to-day operations.
Setup
- Requirements -- Hardware, software, and network requirements for each node type.
- Installing on Ubuntu and Debian -- Install Mina packages for Mainnet or Devnet on Ubuntu and Debian.
- Generating a Key Pair -- Generate wallet and libp2p key pairs needed for node operation.
- Connect to Mainnet or Devnet -- Start your validator and connect it to the target network.
Operations
- Staking and Snarking -- Participate in consensus through staking, delegate MINA, and configure SNARK workers.
- Querying Data -- Query blockchain data from your running node via GraphQL.
- Logging -- Understand log files, log levels, and how to export logs for debugging.
Next Steps
Once your validator is running, explore advanced node configurations:
- Block Producer -- Produce blocks and earn rewards
- SNARK Worker -- Generate zk-SNARKs and earn fees
- Archive Node -- Maintain historical blockchain data