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Snowside Docs

Running a Validator

import { Steps } from ‘@astrojs/starlight/components’;

Running a Snowside validator with NodeRunr takes under a minute. NodeRunr handles deployment, monitoring, updates, and communication automatically — no manual config file editing, no SSH gymnastics, no babysitting.

Prerequisites

Section titled “Prerequisites”
  • A server (VPS) with at least 4 CPU cores, 8 GB RAM, and 200 GB SSD
  • Ubuntu 22.04 or later (NodeRunr also supports Debian 12+)
  • AVAX for the Avalanche Primary Network stake
  • SSH access to the server

Step-by-step deployment

Section titled “Step-by-step deployment”
Connect to your server via SSH and run the NodeRunr installer:`curl -fsSL https://docs.layer1.run/install.sh | bash`. This installs the NodeRunr daemon and its dependencies. Once NodeRunr is installed, list available templates and select Snowside:`noderunr templates list` then`noderunr templates select snowside`. NodeRunr downloads the latest Snowside L1 configuration, including genesis parameters, precompile settings, and validator keys. Set your validator name and stake address:`noderunr config set --name "my-validator" --stake-address 0xYourAVAXAddress`. NodeRunr generates the validator's node ID, BLS keys, and TLS certificates automatically. Start the validator with a single command:`noderunr deploy`. NodeRunr installs the Avalanche node, configures it for the Snowside subnet, registers the validator with the Primary Network, and begins block production. Check that your validator is online and producing blocks:`noderunr status`. You should see a green active indicator and a block height increasing. If any issues arise, NodeRunr's encrypted alert system notifies you automatically.

Monitoring

Section titled “Monitoring”

NodeRunr continuously monitors your validator’s health:

  • Block production rate
  • Peer connections
  • Disk usage, memory, CPU
  • Uptime and response time

When an update is available, NodeRunr can apply it automatically with zero downtime. Alerts are sent via encrypted channels (Telegram, Discord, or email) if intervention is required.

Stopping or removing a validator

Section titled “Stopping or removing a validator”

To stop your validator temporarily:noderunr stop

To remove your validator and unstake:noderunr undeploy

Your AVAX stake will be returned after the unstaking period (typically 14 days on Avalanche).

References

Section titled “References”