Guide for Node Operators

Unlock the Power of Decentralized Data Storage with Sui Blockchain

The Walrus Network is a decentralized data storage solution built on the Sui blockchain. Node operators play a critical role in ensuring the network's reliability by providing storage space and maintaining data accessibility. This guide covers essential steps and recommendations for operators interested in joining the Walrus Network.

1. The Role of a Node Operator

Node operators in the Walrus Network provide resources for storing data fragments, which are sharded and distributed across multiple nodes. Their responsibilities include:

  • Secure Data Storage: Managing encrypted fragments of data (referred to as "elephants").

  • Data Accessibility: Processing client requests to retrieve stored data.

  • Blockchain Interaction: Participating in creating data availability proofs via Sui blockchain mechanisms.

2. Setting Up and Running a Storage Node

To operate within the Walrus Network, you need to deploy a Storage Node. While the Walrus node binary is not yet publicly available, here is an example of a systemd service configuration for a node:

[Unit]
Description=Walrus Storage Node

[Service]
User=walrus
Environment=RUST_BACKTRACE=1
Environment=RUST_LOG=info,walrus=debug
ExecStart=/opt/walrus/bin/walrus-node run --config-path /opt/walrus/config/walrus-node.yaml
Restart=always

LimitNOFILE=65536

Key Features of This Configuration:

  • ExecStart: Specifies the command to launch the node.

  • Environment Variables: Sets logging levels and enables backtracing.

  • Service Resilience: Automatically restarts the node in case of failures.

3. Key Configuration Parameters

Each Storage Node requires a configuration file (walrus-node.yaml). Below is an example of the primary settings:

storage_path: /opt/walrus/db
metrics_address: 127.0.0.1:9184
rest_api_address: 0.0.0.0:9185
sui:
  rpc: https://fullnode.testnet.sui.io:443
  system_object: 0xWALRUS_CONTRACT
blob_recovery:
  max_concurrent_blob_syncs: 10
  retry_interval_min_secs: 1
  retry_interval_max_secs: 3600

Configuration Details:

  • storage_path: Directory path for storing data (powered by RocksDB).

  • metrics_address: Address for exposing metrics, which can be integrated with Grafana.

  • rest_api_address: API endpoint for interaction with external services.

  • sui: Blockchain integration details, including RPC node and Walrus contract reference.

  • blob_recovery: Parameters for data recovery processes.

4. Monitoring and Metrics

Node health and performance can be monitored using Grafana Agent. Metrics are available at the address specified in metrics_address (e.g., localhost:9184/metrics).

Recommended Dashboards:

  • Node health status.

  • Data storage and retrieval performance.

  • Error statistics and recovery insights.

5. Participating in the Walrus Network

Node operators contribute to the Walrus Network by:

  1. Registering the Node: Use Sui smart contracts to register your node within the network.

  2. Data Requests: Handle client requests for data storage and retrieval.

  3. Data Recovery: Collaborate with other nodes to restore fragmented data when necessary.

6. Best Practices for Node Operators

To ensure smooth operation and maximize network contributions:

  • Security First: Configure firewalls and restrict API access to trusted sources.

  • Proactive Monitoring: Regularly check node status using Grafana or similar tools.

  • Optimize Storage: Ensure sufficient disk space for RocksDB to manage data fragments effectively.

  • Stay Updated: Monitor network announcements and update your node software as required.

Conclusion

Operating a node in the Walrus Network requires a commitment to data availability and resilience. By following this guide and implementing best practices, you can effectively support decentralized storage and benefit from the growing ecosystem built on the Sui blockchain.

Embrace the future of data storage and join the Walrus Network today!

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