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This is a work in progress. This document provides answers to some questions and reflects FAQs that don't yet have answers. Please see the publication date for information on recent updates. All information is susceptible to change.
Intended audience
We intend this FAQ validators and developers who are interested in validation as it relates to the RChain software and consensus prototcol. The RChain cooperative provides addition information regarding economic incentives and staking in documents in https://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale.
Feedback
Comments and feedback are welcome! Please share your thoughts at the bottom of this page.
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A RNode operator who participates in the RChain platform consensus protocol. See Validation on the RChain Network.
Node
Nodes are individual parts of a distributed, decentralized blockchain. Devices running the RChain software can instantiate instances of RNode and connect to the network. See Validation on the RChain Network.
Stake
Amount of currency bonded in a smart contract to allow participation in the consensus protocol. See Validation on the RChain Network.
Slashing
Validators who violate the protocol can be removed. Removal results in a forfeit of stake. See Validation on the RChain Network.
Validators
What is a validator?
Validators are RNode operators who have bonded stake to participate in the consensus protocol. See Validation on the RChain Network.
How can I become a validator? (intent to validate signup)
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Validators are responsible for consistently running a correct version of the software on the network. Detailed information of responsibilities is in Validation on the RChain Networkavailable inhttps://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale.
What are the risks of being a validator?
Loss of stake is the key risk of being a validator. See Validation on the RChain Network.
Technical requirements
What are the hardware requirements?
We are working on performance testing to understand what hardware will best support network validation. At this time, anyone who can run the current version of the software can learn more about RNode operation. Estimates for hardware requirements for both test net and main net are published in Validation on the RChain Network.If you are a test net validator coming to validate the genesis block in Berlin, please see Information for test net launchersin documents at https://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale.
What are the software requirements?
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Based on performance tests run in August for test net, we recommend at least 8 16 GB RAM, and 32 GB RAM, be available to the node.
What are the bandwidth requirements?
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There will be several ways for validators to participate in test net.
If you are a Joining test net validator coming to validate as a validator, outside of the validators who signed the genesis block in Berlin, please see Information for test net launchers.Information about joining as a test net validator after launch is coming soon, will be available with the release of RNode v0.7.
How can I help test the network?
There will be several ways to help test the network. If you are a test net validator coming to validate the genesis block in Berlin, please see Information for test net launchers.
There will also be challenges and awards for test net validators throughout the test net period. More information is coming soon.
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How do I join the main net as a validator?
Please see Validation on the RChain Networksee documents at https://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale for preliminary information.
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Staking is bonding currency in a smart contract to allow participation in the consensus protocol. See Validation on the RChain NetworkSee documents at https://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale.
What is the incentive to stake?
There are currency rewards for staking the network. See Validation on the RChain Network. See documents at https://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale.
What are the risks of staking?
Loss of stake is a risk. See Validation on the RChain NetworkSee documents at https://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale.
What is the minimum amount of REV required to stake the network as a validator?
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Loss of stake is a risk. Please see Validation on the RChain Networksee documents at https://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale.
How can I locate and participate in a staking pool?
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Validators who violate the protocol can be removed. Removal results in a forfeit of stake. See Validation on the RChain NetworkSee documents at https://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale.
What are the slashing conditions?
Please see Validation on the RChain Networksee documents at https://github.com/rchain/legaldocs/tree/master/validator-sale.
Security considerations
What do I need to know about key management?
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