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A few simple steps

Become a Validator, the Easy Way

Create a server, run one install command, send us your public key. We give you the exact command to paste.

This page is for you, the validator - the person running a server. You only ever create a server, paste the one command we send, and share your public key. (Running the whole network as an operator is a different job with its own instructions.)

How it works (in plain words)

  • •A server is just a computer you rent online that stays on 24/7. You’ll rent one from DigitalOcean or Hetzner (a few dollars a week).
  • •You never install anything on your own laptop and you never use a “terminal.” You open your server’s screen right in your web browser (both providers have a “Console” button).
  • •We email you one line of text (the install command). You paste it into that browser screen and press Enter. It sets everything up by itself and makes your secret key on the server - it never leaves the server, and you never see or send it.
  • •It shows a long public key line. You copy that and send it to us. When everyone’s key is in, we say “go,” and you paste one last line. Done.

You only ever share your public key. Ignore any old guide that tells you to “apply” with a stake or paste a “block” containing your keys, that’s retired. Founding validators are invited - there’s no form to fill in to join the set.

Part 0 - First, the basics (2 minutes)

  1. 1Make an account at cognitum.global (top-right Log In → Register). This is just so we can reach you and confirm you’re on the founding list.
  2. 2Optional: if you’d like a place to receive COGN, open the Wallet page and click “Create My Wallet.” Save that private key somewhere safe.
Important: that browser wallet is not your validator key. Your validator key is made on the serverin Step 3 below and never leaves it. You don’t paste any key into the setup - the server makes its own.

Option A, DigitalOcean

DigitalOcean
  1. 1Open digitalocean.com and make an account.
  2. 2Click the green Create button (top right) → Droplets.
  3. 3Under “Choose an image” pick Ubuntu (version 22.04 LTS). Under “Region” pick the city we suggested.
  4. 4Under “Size” choose Basic, then a plan with 4 GB / 2 CPUs (8 GB / 4 is nicer).
  5. 5For “Choose Authentication Method” pick Password and set a strong password. Write it down - you’ll need it in step 8.
  6. 6Click Create Droplet. After a minute it shows an IP address (a number like 203.0.113.5). That’s your server’s address, keep it handy.
  7. 7Open the doorway for other validators (the fiddly bit, ask us if unsure): left menu → Networking → Firewalls → Create Firewall. Under Inbound Rules add a rule: type Custom, protocol TCP, port 8333, and in “Sources” paste the validator IPs we gave you. Under “Apply to Droplets” choose your server. Click Create Firewall.
  8. 8Go back to your Droplet’s page and click Console (top-right, or the >_ icon). A black window opens in your browser - that’s your server. If it asks, type root, Enter, then the password from step 5.
  9. 9Paste the install command we emailed you: right-click inside the black window and choose Paste (or use the console’s Paste button), then press Enter. Let it run for a minute or two, don’t type anything else.
  10. 10When it stops, it prints a long line, your PUBLIC key. Select it, copy it, and send it to us with your IP. Then relax, we’ll message you when it’s time for the last step.
  11. 11When we say “ready”, open the Console again and paste the short “start” command we send. That’s it, you’re a live validator. 🎉

Option B, Hetzner Cloud (often cheaper)

HETZNER
  1. 1Open hetzner.com/cloud, make an account → New Project → open it → Add Server.
  2. 2Location: the one we suggested. Image: Ubuntu 22.04.
  3. 3Type: pick CX32 (around 8 GB memory).
  4. 4Scroll to the password/SSH section and set a strong root password. Write it down.
  5. 5Name it and click Create & Buy Now. After a minute, note the server’s IP address (a number like 203.0.113.5).
  6. 6Open the doorway: left menu → Firewalls → Create Firewall → add an Inbound rule: TCP, port 8333, source = the validator IPs we gave you → apply it to your server.
  7. 7On your server’s page click the Console icon (>_, top right). A black window opens in your browser. Log in as root with your password.
  8. 8Paste the install command we emailed you (right-click → Paste), press Enter, and let it finish. Copy the long PUBLIC key it prints and send it to us with your IP. When we say “ready,” open the Console again and paste the start command. Done. 🎉

The 8333 doorway (step 6) must be opened at Hetzner, not just inside the server. If your node runs but nobody connects, that’s almost always why. Never open port 8080.

After it’s running

  1. 1Tell us it’s up. We can see from our side whether your validator is connected and in sync, and we’ll confirm it for you. You don’t need to read any logs.
  2. 2Back up your password (and, if we ask, your key file). If you lose them you lose your validator spot, there is no recovery. Keep them somewhere safe and private.
  3. 3Just leave the server on. It runs by itself. Don’t delete it, don’t turn it off, and never share your password or your key.

If something looks stuck

  • We can’t see your node connect? Almost always the 8333 doorway (firewall step) wasn’t opened at the provider. Redo that step, or send us a screenshot and we’ll check it with you.
  • The command said “checksum” and stopped? That’s a safety check. Make sure you pasted the exact command we sent. If it says “mismatch,” stop and message us right away.
  • Nothing happens / you’re not sure? Don’t worry and don’t guess, just message us with what you see (a screenshot is perfect). Helping you finish is our job.
  • Waiting on the last step? That’s normal, we can only start once every validator’s key is in. We’ll message you the moment it’s time.

Thank you for helping decentralize the post-quantum network.