How to Run a Full Node

What is a Full Node?

A full node is a type of node on a blockchain network that stores a complete copy of the blockchain and participates in the process of validating new transactions and blocks. In the case of the GEN-X network, a full node would store a complete copy of the GEN-X blockchain and would be responsible for validating transactions (though not responsible for consensus) and blocks on the network.

Full nodes are an important part of a blockchain network, as they help to support the integrity and security of the network. By storing a complete copy of the blockchain and participating in the validation process, full nodes help to prevent potential attacks on the network. Additionally, full nodes play a key role in helping to maintain the decentralized nature of a blockchain network by providing independent and self-sovereign access to the network.

Full Node Setup

1. Download Polygon Edge Client

wget https://github.com/0xPolygon/polygon-edge/releases/download/v0.6.2/polygon-edge_0.6.2_linux_amd64.tar.gz
tar -xvf polygon-edge_0.6.2_linux_amd64.tar.gz
sudo mv polygon-edge /usr/local/bin

Hint: GEN-X validators are currently using v0.6.2.

2. Create Keys and Directories

polygon-edge secrets init --data-dir data-dir

# this will create the private keys and print the public keys and node ID

[SECRETS INIT]
Public key (address) = 0xC12bB5d97A35c6919aC77C709d55F6aa60436900
BLS Public key       = 0x9952735ca14734955e114a62e4c26a90bce42b4627a393418372968fa36e73a0ef8db68bba11ea967ff883e429b3bfdf
Node ID              = 16Uiu2HAmJxxH1tScDX2rLGSU9exnuvZKNM9SoK3v315azp68DLPW

3. Start your Node

polygon-edge server --data-dir ./data-dir --chain genesis.json  --libp2p 0.0.0.0:1478 --nat YOUR_PUBLIC_IP

Hint: You need access to the genesis.json used by the other nodes in the GEN-X network. Currently, only validators and selected members get access to this file.