Best practices for running Algorand participation nodes in consensus

October 17, 2024

Written by: Algorand Foundation

What is running a node?

Running an Algorand node essentially means operating a computer program that validates transactions and contributes to securing the network. Thousands of nodes around the world are doing the same thing, working together to validate transactions, secure the network, and maintain the integrity of the Algorand ledger. By running a node, you become an active contributor to this decentralized system.

Get started running an Algorand node with these instructions.

 

 

General Best Practices

  • Do not exceed 70 million Algo staked in a single account
  • Do not exceed 70 million Algo staked across multiple accounts on a single machine
  • Ensure the node is provisioned with hardware at or above minimum system requirements
  • Make sure that your system clock is accurate so that your node does not produce blocks with incorrect timestamps
  • Do not run more than two (2) sets of participation keys online from the same machine
  • Utilize a high-quality alerting service to notify you about node performance issues, such as:
        • Voting less than expected
        • Anomalies in machine performance metrics
  • Be prepared with a way to manage your node remotely
  • Be disciplined about registering your account(s) offline proactively if you expect to be unable to attend to issues for an extended period

 

Machine On-Premises

  • Have backup power solutions in place, such as an uninterruptible power supply (battery backup) to handle transient power losses and brownouts
  • Implement a backup internet connection to maintain the node’s stay online without interruption

 

Cloud-Based Machine

  • Be mindful of the geographic location & distribution of Algorand nodes (view on Nodely) and try to contribute to further distribution (not concentration) of the network across countries
  • Don’t contribute to cloud vendor concentration (again, view on Nodely) and try to contribute to improving the balance of the network across cloud providers

 

  Learn how to run an Algorand node Help secure the Algorand network and participate in consensus. Get started with these instructions.  

 

 

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