Node Provider Onboarding

Becoming a Node Provider

To participate in the Internet Computer network as a Node Provider and receive the rewards for supporting the network.

Requirements

• Node Hardware
• Hardware wallet
• NitroKey HSM

Setup

1. Install the required tools

   1. ic-admin to enable you to create proposals

      MacOS:

      1. Download ic-admin

         $ curl "https://download.dfinity.systems/blessed/ic/0ef2aebde4ff735a1a93efa342dcf966b6df5061/nix-release/x86_64-darwin/ic-admin.gz" -o - | gunzip > ./ic-admin
         $ chmod +x ./ic-admin
         

      2. Verify the binary

         $ diff <(sha256sum ./ic-admin | cut -d' ' -f1) <(echo da20f751b705de5a75a370fa9d2c5f09e553abaa8893692104fb260b247d336d)
         

      3. Verify the version

         $ ./ic-admin --version
         
         ic-admin 1.0
         

      Linux:

      1. Download ic-admin (TODO: change to same version as above and update sha256sum)

         $ curl "https://download.dfinity.systems/blessed/ic/0ef2aebde4ff735a1a93efa342dcf966b6df5061/release/ic-admin.gz" -o - | gunzip > ./ic-admin
         $ chmod +x ./ic-admin
         

      2. Verify the binary

         diff <(sha256sum ./ic-admin | cut -d' ' -f1) <(echo c5bf9996dd009d1eeb22c59f77ee881d4044cd8c8a040204bfc95a9b21f085f2)
         

      3. Verify that the version is 1.0 or greater

         $ ./ic-admin --version
         
         ic-admin 1.0
         

   2. dfx to enable you to generate a neuron hotkey

      1. Install dfx

         $ sh -ci "$(curl -fsSL https://sdk.dfinity.org/install.sh)"
         

      2. Verify that the version is 0.8.1 or greater

         $ dfx --version
         
         dfx 0.8.1
         

2. Create a wallet hotkey principal

   $ dfx identity new node-provider-hotkey
   
   Creating identity: "node-provider-hotkey".
   Created identity: "node-provider-hotkey".
   
   $ dfx --identity node-provider-hotkey identity get-principal
   
   wuyst-x5tpn-g5wri-mp3ps-vjtba-de3xs-w5xgb-crvek-tucbe-o5rqi-mae
   

3. Create and Manage Neuron via NNS Dapp and Internet Identity

   1. Setup your hardware wallet: https://medium.com/dfinity/integrating-ledger-nano-with-the-nns-front-end-dapp-user-manual-9c5600925e16
   2. Send at least 2 ICPs to the hardware wallet address.
   3. Create a neuron
      1. Navigate to Neurons tab and create a Neuron by staking 1 ICP from your hardware wallet, and confirming the transaction on your hardware wallet. stake neuron
      2. After the neuron has been created successfully, confirm to add NNS Dapp as hotkey in the dialogue and on your hardware wallet, and close the dialog after the action completes. confirm hotkey
      3. You will now see a neuron listed with its ID. You’ll need the neuron ID in the next steps to place the necessary proposals. neuron id
   4. Add a hotkey
      1. Select the neuron you just created to open neuron management view and press “Add hotkey” button. add hotkey button
      2. A dialog will pop up where you can enter the principal you generated in step 2.2. Press the confirm button and confirm the transactions on your hardware wallet. confirm hotkey
   5. Get the hardware principal id
      1. Navigate back to ICP page and select your hardware wallet account. hardware wallet account
      2. Here you can get your node provider principal by clicking on the copy icon after the principal id. You’ll need it in the next steps. hardware wallet account

4. Configure your HSM

   1. Install the necessary tools:

      MacOS:

      1. Download this OpenSC binary: https://github.com/OpenSC/OpenSC/releases/download/0.22.0/OpenSC-0.22.0.dmg
      2. Double click the DMG image that you downloaded and then double click the OpenSC PKG file.
      3. If your system doesn’t allow the installation software from an unidentified developer please follow these steps or contact your system administrator:
         1. Choose the Apple menu > System Preferences > click Security and Privacy.
         2. Click the lock Icon to unlock it, then enter an administrator name and password.
         3. Ensure that you’re on the tab named “General”.
         4. You should see the OpenSC app and you should be able to enable its installation by choosing “Open anyway”.
      4. Click continue and install until the installation is complete.