SPS Validator Node: Setup Guide for Dummies on Linux Ubuntu

Hi,
This guide for those who want to run a Validator node on a Linux. If you have any questions, feel free to leave a comment. I'll be happy to help!

0. Hardware requireme

Minimum 2 vCPU and 4 GB Memory or more

1. Prepare

Open Ternimal app or connect your ubuntu via ssh

make sure your system is up to date
run

sudo apt update

sudo apt upgrade -y

2. Install Required Dependencies

run

sudo apt install -y curl git

3. Run Installation Script

run

bash -c "$(curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/TheSPSDAO/SPS-Validator/refs/tags/vlatest/install.sh)"

(Optional: If you don't get those below questions
or get this message: 'IMPORTANT Please re-login (or close and re-connect SSH) for docker to function correctly. Please re-run this script after re-login.')

run

exit

and restart Terminal or connect ssh again and run same command again)

You will be asked those questions
Do you want to use a production prefix or qa prefix?
-> type 1
Enter your the hive account name
-> type your hive account
Enter your the hive posting key
-> We will put your real posting key later. Type 1111 enter
Do you want to turn on block pruning?
-> type y
Are you sure you want to destory?
-> type y

(Optional) If you get this error
Got permission denied while trying to connect to the Docker daemon socket

run
newgrp docker
and run the script again
bash -c "$(curl -s https://raw.githubusercontent.com/TheSPSDAO/SPS-Validator/refs/tags/vlatest/install.sh)"

(Optional) If you get this error, try to use x86_64 cpu not on arm cpu machine

→ CANCELED [validator-sqitch 10/11] ADD https:/ /d33cuc2qlex36c.cloudfront.net/release-1.0.0-93703455.zip /app/snapshot.zip
=> [validator-sqitch internal] load build context
=>=> transferring context: 98.48kB
• ERROR [validator-saitch 2/111 RUN apt-aet -aa update && apt-aet. => ERROR [validator-sqitch 2/11]

This process may take some time

Do you want to view the logs now? -> n

(You can see log with y. After checking the logs, to stop seeing logs press control + c)

4. Configuration

run

cd SPS-Validator

cp .env-example .env

nano .env

Important settings to configure:
VALIDATOR_ACCOUNT: Your Hive account name
VALIDATOR_KEY: Your Hive posting key
DB_BLOCK_RETENTION= leave black (if you want to run full node) or type 432000 (if you want to light node. No reward difference)

save the updated .env file with
ctrl + x → y → enter

5. Monitor and Sync block

Check the logs to ensure your node is catching up with the blockchain:
run

./run.sh logs

You need to wait your node catch the latest block
Blocks to head: 385739 means you need to wait until you see Blocks to head: 0

You'll know your node is fully synchronized when you see log messages like: (Blocks to head:0)
Processing block [XXXXX], Head Block: XXXXX, Blocks to head: 0