Becoming a Validator
Validators sit at the core of Relix’s Proof of Stake design. They are the entities that propose, validate, and finalize blocks, and in return they earn rewards tied to their stake and performance. Running a validator is not the same as running a regular full node: it carries additional responsibility, operational risk, and the need for stricter security practices.
On testnet, becoming a validator is primarily about learning the operational model and helping secure the network while we refine parameters. The economic incentives and final rules for mainnet may evolve, but the mindset required to run a good validator will remain the same.
1. What it means to be a validator
A Relix validator is expected to:
Stay online and responsive so it can participate in consensus rounds.
Propose blocks when selected by the protocol.
Verify and sign blocks proposed by other validators.
Follow the rules of the chain, including any slashing or penalty conditions once they are active.
In practice, that means you are running:
A fully synchronized node that understands Relix Testnet (chain ID
4127), andA validator process that holds signing keys and participates in consensus on behalf of your stake.
If the validator is frequently offline or misbehaves, it can be removed from the active set and, under final mainnet rules, may be subject to penalties.
2. Prerequisites before you apply
Before even thinking about staking, you should already:
Operate a full node reliably
Your node stays synced to the head of Relix Testnet.
You understand how to start, stop, restart, and upgrade it safely.
You have monitoring in place for block height, peers, CPU, memory, and disk.
Have experience with Linux server administration
Comfortable with SSH, firewalls, networking.
Familiar with systemd or an equivalent process manager.
Able to keep a machine patched and hardened over time.
Secure a place to run the validator
A VPS, bare-metal server, or cloud instance that meets or exceeds the full node requirements.
For serious setups, a separate validator node behind one or more sentry nodes to reduce exposure.
Hold enough testnet RLX
On testnet, the amount required is more about testing flows than real economics, but you will still need a minimum stake to register as a validator.
The specific threshold and parameters will be published via official Relix channels as they are finalized.
If any of these points feel unfamiliar, it is better to spend time on full-node operations first and come back to validator duties later.
3. Keys and identities
A validator typically uses at least two logical roles:
Stake / operator address
Holds the RLX used as stake.
Is used to register the validator, update parameters, and manage rewards.
Validator signing key
Used by the consensus engine to sign blocks and messages.
Must be protected carefully; if leaked, an attacker could sign on your behalf.
Good practices include:
Keeping the signing key only on the validator machine, not copied across laptops and desktops.
Storing backups of both keys in secure offline locations (for example, encrypted backups with multiple copies).
Separating the address that holds your RLX from everyday transactional wallets you use for dApps and testing.
Over time, Relix may support additional features such as delegated staking or external signers (HSMs, remote signers). For now, think in terms of “one operator identity staked, one validator identity signing.”
4. High-level process to become a validator (Testnet)
Exact commands and contract calls will be documented alongside the node software, but the flow on testnet typically looks like:
Run and sync a full node
Follow the “Running a Full Node (Testnet)” guide.
Confirm your node is at or near the latest block height shown on
https://testnet.relixchain.com.
Enable validator mode
Install or enable the validator component of the node client (often a configuration flag or separate binary).
Configure it to use your validator signing key and connect to your already-synced node.
Prepare your stake
Fund your operator address with testnet RLX.
The minimum stake and any additional parameters (commission rate, description, etc.) will be defined in the validator registry or staking module.
Register as a validator
Submit a transaction to the on-chain registry or staking contract, providing:
Your validator public key or consensus address.
The amount of RLX you are staking.
Optional metadata (name, contact, website) where supported.
Wait for inclusion in the active set
Once the transaction is confirmed, your validator should appear in the list of candidates.
Depending on network rules, there may be a delay or epoch boundary before you start participating in block production.
Monitor performance and behavior
Watch logs to verify that your validator is receiving and signing proposals.
Track metrics such as missed blocks, uptime, and network health.
Check any staking dashboards or explorer views that show your validator’s status.
Initial iterations on testnet are as much about refining this process as they are about securing the network. Feedback from early validators will help shape the mainnet experience.
5. Operational discipline
Running a validator is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time setup. Some essential habits:
Keep software current
Follow official channels (GitHub releases, website updates, Telegram, X) for new versions.
Apply updates in a controlled manner, ideally testing on a non-critical node first.
Watch your node constantly
Alerts when the node falls behind, loses peers, or runs out of disk are crucial.
Uptime directly influences participation in consensus and, in the long run, your rewards.
Protect the validator environment
Limit logins to trusted operators.
Use SSH keys, firewalls, and least-privilege principles.
Avoid installing unrelated software on the validator host.
Plan for failure
Have documented procedures for what to do if the node crashes, the disk fills up, or the machine needs to be migrated.
Maintain configuration in version control so you can rebuild an identical environment if needed.
The more automation and observability you build around your validator, the easier it becomes to keep it healthy over time.
6. Risks and responsibilities
Even on testnet, it is important to treat validator operations with respect:
Misconfiguration can affect others
An unstable or misbehaving validator can slow block production or cause headaches for the rest of the network.
Mainnet will add economic consequences
While testnet RLX carries no monetary value, mainnet will. At that stage, downtime or incorrect behavior may result in reduced rewards or penalties, depending on final staking rules.
Transparency matters
If you operate a public validator or accept delegated stake in the future, your peers will expect clear communication and responsible operations.
Becoming a validator on Relix is an opportunity to help shape the network from its early days. Treat it as both a technical challenge and a long-term role in the ecosystem.
7. Staying informed
Because Relix is still evolving, always rely on the official sources for the latest validator-related details:
Website:
https://relixchain.comGitHub:
https://github.com/relixchainExplorer:
https://testnet.relixchain.comTelegram:
https://t.me/relixchainX (Twitter):
https://x.com/relixchain
These channels will publish updates on:
Testnet parameters and changes
Validator onboarding phases
Roadmap and mainnet timelines
If you are comfortable with the responsibilities above and prepared to maintain reliable infrastructure, becoming a validator on Relix Testnet is a strong way to contribute to the security and credibility of the network from the start.
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