Validate the Primary Network

Prerequisites

Before we begin, you will need to have:

• Created a Cloud Server node as described for AWS or GCP
• A node bootstrapped to the Primary Network (run avalanche node status <clusterName>to check bootstrap status as describedhere
• Stored key / Ledger with AVAX to pay for gas fess associated with adding node as Primary Network. Instructions on how to fund stored key on Fuji can be found here.

Be a Primary Network Validator​

Once all nodes in a cluster are bootstrapped to Primary Network, we can now have the nodes be Primary Network Validators.

To have all nodes in cluster clusterName be Primary Network Validators, run:

avalanche node validate primary <clusterName>

The nodes will start validating the Primary Network 20 seconds after the command is run.

The wizard will ask us how we want to pay for the transaction fee. Choose Use stored key for Fuji:

 Which key source should be used to pay transaction fees?:
  ▸ Use stored key
    Use ledger

Once you have selected the key to pay with, choose how many AVAX you would like to stake in the validator. Default is the minimum amount of AVAX that can be staked in a Fuji Network Validator. More info regarding minimum staking amount in different networks can be found here.

 What stake weight would you like to assign to the validator?:
  ▸ Default (1.00 AVAX)
    Custom

Next, choose how long the node will be validating for:

 How long should your validator validate for?:
  ▸ Minimum staking duration on primary network
    Custom

Once all the inputs are completed you will see transaction IDs indicating that all the nodes in the cluster will be Primary Network Validators once the start time has elapsed.