PRE Node Setup

This document provides basic instructions for use of the nucypher-ops utility for setting up PRE nodes.
This document will help you get a node running to which you can bond your stake. Please note that running a node is not a passive activity.
Nucypher-ops is an ansible script that will setup and configure a PRE node for you. Currently, the script supports AWS and Digital Ocean. This document will guide you through the setup process using visuals from DigitalOcean.
Local Machine Considerations
Windows
MacOS
Linux
Install Ubuntu 20.04.4 LTS through the Windows Store:
WSL is the most convenient way to run nucypher-ops on a Windows based local machine
To begin, update your local machine and install dependencies
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt-get install libffi-dev python3-dev python3-pip python3-virtualenv build-essential libssl-dev
Read prompts and respond appropriately. This will take a few minutes.
Install Python and pip on your local machine, if you don't have it already:
 Python Website
Visit the Python.org Website 
PyPA Website
Visit the pypa.io Website  and follow the steps provided to make sure that you have a working Python with pip installed.
To begin, update your local machine and install dependencies
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
sudo apt-get install libffi-dev python3-dev python3-pip python3-virtualenv build-essential libssl-dev
Read prompts and respond appropriately. This will take a few minutes.
SSH Key
Generate an SSH key pair. We will need the public key. 
Visit the OpenSSH  website to learn about OpenSSH.
ssh-keygen -t rsa
 cat .ssh/id_rsa.pub
Generating a new SSH Key
Copy the highlighted part
New SSH Key
In your Digital Ocean dashboard:
Go to Settings > Security and click the Add SSH Key button.
Adding a new SSH Key
Paste the key into the box, give your key a name, and click the Add SSH Key button.
Adding a new SSH Key
Open a Text Document to make notes. Copy the SSH Fingerprint into this text file.
Do not share the fingerprint with anyone. Save and store in a secure place such as a password manager.
SSH Fingerprint
While we're here, let's create an API key as well. Go to API > Tokens/Keys and click the Generate New Token button.
Generating an API Access Token
Name your token and click the Generate New Token button.
Unless you plan to periodically refresh this token yourself, you can set "Expiration" to NEVER
Generating an API Access Token
Copy the API Key into your Text file or password manager.
Generating an API Access Token
L2 Providers
The PRE application requires access to an Ethereum endpoint, as well as a Polygon endpoint. One solution is to use a provider such as Infura, Quicknode, or Alchemy. Each has their own pros and cons. Review them carefully.
Once you have made your decision(s) and signed up for an account, login to your account and setup an endpoint for Ethereum. The setup steps are very straightforward for each provider.
Make sure you select Mainnet for each endpoint. You will receive what looks like a https web address, Infura calls it an Endpoint, Quicknode refers to it as a Web3 endpoint. Make sure that the endpoint you copy starts with https.
Copy each of the endpoints to your text document or into your password manager. We will use them shortly.
Do NOT share your provider addresses with anyone.
Checklist
Let's review and make sure you have everything needed to be successful:
SSH key pair fingerprint
API Access token
Endpoint URL for Ethereum
Endpoint URL for Polygon
Sample text file
These items should be kept readily available.
Installing nucypher-ops
pip install nucypher-ops
This will download the utility, and install dependencies. This process will take several minutes.
nucypher-ops installation
Creating Your Node
Execute the following and be ready to answer questions from the utility:
nucypher-ops nodes create
This will connect to your Digital Ocean account, spin up a VPS, configure and secure it, and install all of the necessary software for you.
The utility will ask which provider you are using. Answer accordingly and press ENTER.
Selecting VPS provider in nucypher-ops
Provide your API Key and press ENTER.
Providing API Key in nucypher-ops
Provide your SSH Fingerprint and press ENTER.
Providing SSH fingerprint in nucypher-ops
Then be patient.
Creating VPS instance & PRE node
VPS instance & PRE node created
Deploying Ursula
In a few minutes, you'll be ready to bond your stake.
nucypher-ops ursula deploy
Provide your ETH endpoint when requested and press ENTER.
Provide your Polygon endpoint when requested and press ENTER.
Configuring and deploying Ursula
Wait for it...
PRE node ready to bond
The items at the bottom are your node's IP address and Operator address, to which you will need to bond your stake.
To bond your stake to your new PRE node, click below:
NuCypher Staking (Beta)
Bonding UI link
Make sure you take note of your operator address.
Nucypher-Ops Config File location
Nucypher-ops is a convenient tool for deploying a PRE node on the Threshold network. In case you need to make changes to the configuration of the utility on your local machine, these are the default directories where config files are stored locally:
Linux
MacOS
~/.local/share/nucypher-ops
~/Library/Application Support/nucypher-ops
Caution: Do not make changes to these files without making a backup of them first. Do not make changes to these files unless you know and understand what you are doing.
Caution: Breaking these files may lead to your node becoming permanently inaccessible. Use extreme caution.
Post Install
To find out about other features try
nucypher-ops --help
if you need to update your node to a new version of NuCypher just execute
nucypher-ops ursula update
Keep in mind staking is an active process, and that you are responsible for operational security, as well as backing up any relevant data. Carefully review your firewall rules and make necessary adjustments. nucypher-ops configures a PRE node, it does not setup security measures.
Self-Managed
tBTC v2 Node Setup
Last modified 5mo ago