Updated and Enhanced Guide for Installing and Running a Penumbra Node and Validator

This comprehensive guide provides an updated and enhanced approach for setting up a Penumbra node and initiating a validator. It includes steps to remove old installations, back up wallet data, and ensure smooth operation with the latest versions of necessary software.

🌟 New version of the guide released (4/27/2024):

Significant Update to the Penumbra Node Installation Script

Out of date manual

curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nodesbond/penumbra_guide/main/penumbra_nodes_bond_installer.sh && chmod +x penumbra_nodes_bond_installer.sh && ./penumbra_nodes_bond_installer.sh

Running the Validator

Before starting your validator, ensure you have test tokens. Request them in the Discord channel -testnet-faucet.

To initialize a validator, execute:

curl -O https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nodesbond/penumbra_guide/main/penumbra_validator.sh && chmod +x penumbra_validator.sh && ./penumbra_validator.sh

Step-by-Step Manual for Installing and Running a Penumbra Node and Validator

#!/bin/bash

# Remove previous versions of Penumbra and related modules
echo "Removing old versions of Penumbra and related modules..."
sudo rm -rf /root/penumbra /root/cometbft

# Create a backup of wallet data
echo "Backing up wallet data..."
mkdir -p /root/penumbra_backup
cp -r /root/.penumbra /root/penumbra_backup

# Update package list and install dependencies
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install -y build-essential pkg-config libssl-dev clang git-lfs tmux libclang-dev curl

# Install Go
GO_VERSION="1.18"
wget https://dl.google.com/go/go${GO_VERSION}.linux-amd64.tar.gz
sudo tar -xvf go${GO_VERSION}.linux-amd64.tar.gz
sudo mv go /usr/local

# Set Go environment variables
echo "export GOROOT=/usr/local/go" >> $HOME/.profile
echo "export GOPATH=$HOME/go" >> $HOME/.profile
echo "export PATH=$GOPATH/bin:$GOROOT/bin:$PATH" >> $HOME/.profile
source $HOME/.profile

# Install Rust
curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -sSf https://sh.rustup.rs | sh
source $HOME/.cargo/env

# Clone the Penumbra repository and checkout the specified version
git clone https://github.com/penumbra-zone/penumbra
cd penumbra
git fetch
git checkout v0.64.2

# Build pcli and pd
cargo build --release --bin pcli
cargo build --release --bin pd

# Install CometBFT
cd ..
git clone https://github.com/cometbft/cometbft.git
cd cometbft
git checkout v0.37.2

# Update Go modules
go mod tidy

# Proceed with installation
make install

# Increase the number of allowed open file descriptors
ulimit -n 4096

# Request the node name from the user
echo "Enter the name of your node:"
read MY_NODE_NAME

# Retrieve the external IP address of the server
IP_ADDRESS=$(curl -s ifconfig.me)

# Join the testnet
cd /root/penumbra
./target/release/pd testnet unsafe-reset-all
./target/release/pd testnet join --external-address $IP_ADDRESS:26656 --moniker $MY_NODE_NAME

# Create a new wallet or restore an existing one
echo "Do you want to create a new wallet or restore an existing one? [new/restore]"
read WALLET_CHOICE
if [ "$WALLET_CHOICE" = "new" ]; then
    ./target/release/pcli init soft-kms generate
elif [ "$WALLET_CHOICE" = "restore" ]; then
    ./target/release/pcli init soft-kms import-phrase
    echo "Enter your seed phrase:"
    read SEED_PHRASE
    echo $SEED_PHRASE | ./target/release/pcli init soft-kms import-phrase
else
    echo "Invalid choice. Exiting."
    exit 1
fi

# Launch the node and CometBFT in tmux
tmux new-session -d -s penumbra '/root/penumbra/target/release/pd start'
tmux split-window -h '/root/cometbft/cometbft start --home ~/.penumbra/testnet_data/node0/cometbft'
tmux attach -t penumbra

# Add pcli to the system path for simplified command usage
find / -name pcli 2>/dev/null
echo "export PATH=\$PATH:/root/penumbra/target/release" >> $HOME/.profile
source $HOME/.profile

See also: Full tmux guide