Running a COTI Node
Running a node helps secure and decentralize the COTI network and support the overall ecosystem. While there are some similarities to other L2 networks, COTI’s architecture has its own nuances and requirements that we’ll cover here.
What is a COTI Node?
In the COTI network, Full Nodes are decentralized, lean clients that play a critical role in maintaining the network’s security, scalability, and overall functionality. Anyone is able to run a Full Node to support the network and optionally gain rewards.
Running a COTI full node, downloads a copy of the COTI blockchain and verifies the validity of every block. Unlike validator nodes in Ethereum, COTI full nodes do not actively participate in consensus nor in block proposal, as that is the job of the COTI sequencer (see COTI Architecture)
Why Run a Node?
Running a COTI Node offers several benefits:
Network Participation: Contribute to the decentralization and robustness of the network.
Community Support: Strengthen the ecosystem and help drive adoption of COTI’s technology.
Rewards & Incentives: Earn fees for processing and confirming transactions (licensed nodes only).
Requirements
COTI Full Node software is provided as a docker image.
Disclaimer: Successfully operating, troubleshooting, and maintaining a node requires technical proficiency. Familiarity with tools such as Linux, Docker, and Git is assumed. Users not familiar with this technology stack should consider assigning their license to an existing node operator to minimize their technical requirements.
Software
Operating System: the following operating systems have been certified to run the node software:
Ubuntu 24.04.x (see Linux Requirements for Docker)
Docker: version 28.0.1
Docker-Compose: version 2.29.1
Hardware
The following hardware specs are required to run a COTI full node:
vCPUs
2
4
8
Memory (GiB)
8
16
64
Storage
100 GB
200 GB
500 GB
In addition to the above hardware, a reliable, high-bandwidth internet connection is recommended.
Recommended minimum hosted configuration
AWS: m7a.Large (2 vCPUs, 8GB memory)
OVH: b2-15 (4 vCPUs, 15GB memory)
Disclaimer: The above configuration has been certified on Testnet; higher transaction volumes on Mainnet may require increased specifications.
Recommended optimal hosted configuration
AWS: r5n.2xlarge (8 vCPUs, 64GB memory)
OVH: r2-120 (8 vCPUs, 120GB memory)
Network
Open Ports: You need to open the following ports in your firewall or cloud environment to allow inbound connections:
8545 - Allowing RPC requests to flow in
8546 - Allowing WebSocket connection to flow in
7400 - Allowing peer-to-peer connection
Static IP: Required to ensure stable RPC access, enabling continuous health monitoring.
Setting up Your Node Environment
COTI full nodes are run using docker. Docker provides a way for everyone to run battle-tested, reliable images, known to work with the network.
Prerequisites
Git
Docker
Docker Compose
Installation Steps
The following recommended steps reflect best practices but should be performed carefully, as they may significantly impact the operating system.
Recommended steps:
Set host name (where
<name>
is your chosen node name)Update package lists
Reboot system
Update OS
Configure Docker
Add your user to the
docker
group:Logout and re-login
Clone the COTI Full Node project
Start Your Node
Navigate to the newly created "coti-full-node" directory
Execute node start script
Once the docker-compose has started the node, liveliness check will be executed
Output example:
If liveliness check passed locally it means that your node is syncing with the other nodes in the network.
To Check Node Logs
Restarting Your Node
To restart your node follow these steps:
Stop your node
Start your node
Node Configuration
If you are running a node without a license, no further configuration of the node is required. Simply ensure you are connected to the network.
Verifying Node Functionality
Metrics: Visit uptime.coti.io to track performance and status.
Metrics monitoring is not available yet for Testnet .
Node availability is crucial for the smooth operation of the network. To evaluate node availability, COTI leverages a monitoring platform that publishes this data. A node is considered available if it successfully responds to the
eth_blockNumber
request. Using this request ensures the node is actively synchronized with the network and functioning correctly.
Incentives
The economic structure of COTI nodes is designed to incentivize active participation and ensure the long-term sustainability of the network.
Licensed Full Nodes that maintain a minimum uptime of 98% are eligible to receive Validation Rewards, which are distributed every 103-hour Period (epoch). This uptime requirement underscores the importance of reliability and consistent performance within the network.
For more information on incentives, visit the "Node Economy" section of the COTI Node Ecosystem Litepaper.
Maintenance & Monitoring
Regular Updates: Keep your node software updated to the latest version. This ensures you receive security patches and new features.
Resource Usage: Monitor CPU, RAM, and disk space to ensure uninterrupted operation.
Uptime: Use a process manager (like
systemd
) or Docker auto-restart policies to keep your node running if it crashes unexpectedly.
Troubleshooting
Common Issues:
Peer Connection Errors: Ensure your ports are open and your firewall allows inbound connections.
High Resource Usage: Upgrade your hardware or adjust configuration settings to reduce overhead.
Where to Get Help:
FAQ
How many nodes can I run?
There’s no set limit, but each node requires its own resources. Running multiple nodes can help decentralize the network but comes with higher operational costs.
Can I run a node on a VPS or cloud platform?
Absolutely. Just ensure the service meets the hardware, OS, and networking requirements.
Do I earn more rewards by running a more powerful node?
Generally, consistently high uptime can lead to more consistent rewards, however, the only measure to qualify for rewards is uptime.
Is it mandatory to purchase a node license to run a node?
No. A node license simply allows you to earn rewards for helping decentralize the network, however, it is not necessary to run a COTI node.
Next Steps
Congratulations on setting up your COTI Node! By running a node, you’re contributing to the security and decentralization of the COTI network.
The following related sections may provide helpful information:
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