Using Docker

This is a step-by-step guide to deploy an Aptos validator and validator fullnode (VFN) using Docker. Using this guide, the validator and VFN will be deployed on separate machines.

Deployment steps

1. Create a working directory for your Aptos nodes, and pick a username for your nodes, e.g.,

   Terminal

   export WORKSPACE=mainnet
   export USERNAME=alice
   mkdir ~/$WORKSPACE
   cd ~/$WORKSPACE

2. Generate the key pairs for your nodes in your working directory. You can do this by running the following command with the Aptos CLI:

   Terminal

   aptos genesis generate-keys --output-dir ~/$WORKSPACE/keys

   This will create 4 key files under ~/$WORKSPACE/keys directory:

   • public-keys.yaml: This file contains all public keys for your validator and VFN, as well as your account address.
   • private-keys.yaml: This file contains all private keys for your validator and VFN.
   • validator-identity.yaml: This file contains the public and private keys for your validator, as well as your account address.
   • validator-full-node-identity.yaml: This file contains the public and private keys for your VFN, as well as your account address.
   ⚠️

   Backup your private keys
   Your private keys are important for you to establish ownership of your nodes. Never share your private keys with anyone, and make sure to backup private-keys.yaml somewhere safe.

3. Next, you will need to set your validator configuration. This includes setting the validator and VFN host names, which may be IP addresses or DNS addresses.

   ⚠️

   DNS addresses
   Using DNS is recommended over IP addresses, as it enables more efficient node migrations and is more resilient to host changes.

   You can set your validator configuration by running the following command with the Aptos CLI:

   Terminal

    
   # Replace <validator node IP / DNS address> and <Full Node IP / DNS address> below,
   # with the appropriate IP or DNS address for your nodes.
    
   cd ~/$WORKSPACE
   aptos genesis set-validator-configuration \
       --local-repository-dir ~/$WORKSPACE \
       --username $USERNAME \
       --owner-public-identity-file ~/$WORKSPACE/keys/public-keys.yaml \
       --validator-host <validator node IP / DNS address>:<Port> \
       --full-node-host <Full Node IP / DNS address>:<Port> \
       --stake-amount 100000000000000
    
   # For example, if you are using IP addresses:
    
   aptos genesis set-validator-configuration \
       --local-repository-dir ~/$WORKSPACE \
       --username $USERNAME \
       --owner-public-identity-file ~/$WORKSPACE/keys/public-keys.yaml \
       --validator-host 35.232.235.205:6180 \
       --full-node-host 34.135.169.144:6182 \
       --stake-amount 100000000000000
    
   # Otherwise, if you are using DNS addresses:
    
   aptos genesis set-validator-configuration \
       --local-repository-dir ~/$WORKSPACE \
       --username $USERNAME \
       --owner-public-identity-file ~/$WORKSPACE/keys/public-keys.yaml \
       --validator-host bot.aptosdev.com:6180 \
       --full-node-host fn.bot.aptosdev.com:6182 \
       --stake-amount 100000000000000

   Configuring the validator will create two YAML files in the ~/$WORKSPACE/$USERNAME directory: owner.yaml and operator.yaml. These will be useful for connecting your nodes to the Aptos network (later).

4. Download the following files by following the instructions on the Node Files pages. You will need to select the appropriate network (e.g., mainnet, testnet, devnet) and download the following files:

   • validator.yaml
   • fullnode.yaml
   • docker-compose.yaml
   • docker-compose-fullnode.yaml
   • haproxy.cfg
   • haproxy-fullnode.cfg
   • blocked.ips
   • genesis.blob
   • waypoint.txt

5. To recap, in your working directory (~/$WORKSPACE), you should have a list of files:

   • docker-compose.yaml: The docker compose file to run the validator.
   • docker-compose-fullnode.yaml: The docker compose file to run the VFN.
   • keys folder containing:
     • public-keys.yaml: Public keys for both nodes.
     • private-keys.yaml: Private keys for both nodes.
     • validator-identity.yaml: Key and account information for the validator.
     • validator-full-node-identity.yaml: Key and account information for the VFN.
   • $username folder containing:
     • owner.yaml: The owner, operator and voter mappings.
     • operator.yaml: Validator and VFN operator information.
   • waypoint.txt: The waypoint for the genesis transaction on the network you are connecting to.
   • genesis.blob The genesis blob for the network you are connecting to.

6. To start the validator node, run the following command in your working directory:

   Terminal

   docker-compose up (or `docker compose up` depends on your version)

   This will start the validator node using the docker compose file and the images specified in the docker-compose.yaml file. If you wish to change the network you are connecting to, you will need to modify the file to use the correct docker images by network name.

7. Before you can start the VFN, you will need to modify the fullnode.yaml file to update the host address for the validator node. For example, if you are using IP addresses, you will need to update the full_node_networks addresses for the vfn network as follows:

   fullnode.yaml

   ---
   addresses:
     - "/ip4/100.100.100.100/tcp/6181/noise-ik/..." # Set the IP Address of the validator

   Otherwise, if you are using DNS addresses, you will need to update the addresses field as follows:

   fullnode.yaml

   ---
   addresses:
     - "/dns/example.com/tcp/6181/noise-ik/..." # Set the DNS Address of the validator

8. To start your VFN, run the following commands on a separate, dedicated VFN machine. You will need to copy across the keys, configuration and docker compose files from the validator machine.

   ⚠️

   VFN identity
   You should copy the keys and configuration files across to the VFN machine from the working location where they were generated. Do not attempt to generate another set of keys or files for the VFN, as these will not be recognized by the network.

   To start the VFN, run the following command in your working directory:

   Terminal

   docker-compose -f docker-compose-fullnode.yaml up

   This will start the VFN using the docker compose file and the images specified in the docker-compose-fullnode.yaml file. If you wish to change the network you are connecting to, you will need to modify the file to use the correct docker images by network name.

   ⚠️

   Next steps
   You have now completed setting up your validator and VFN using Docker. However, your nodes will not be able to connect to the Aptos network just yet.

Connecting to the Aptos Network

You have now completed setting up your validator and VFN using Docker. Proceed to Connect Nodes for the next steps.