> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.lumera.io/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Run a validator on Lumera

> Run a validator on Lumera mainnet or testnet and help secure the network.

Lumera Protocol is a Cosmos SDK Layer 1 blockchain secured by CometBFT consensus. Validators produce blocks, vote on governance proposals, and maintain the integrity of the network. In return they earn staking rewards and commission from their delegators.

Validators who additionally register as SuperNodes can also provide Cascade storage services and earn fees from file storage operations. This guide covers the base validator setup. See the [SuperNode overview](/supernodes/overview) for upgrading to a SuperNode.

## Choose a network

Run on testnet first. Testnet lets you rehearse the full setup with tokens that carry no value. Move to mainnet once you are confident in your process.

| Network | Chain ID           | Use it for                                    |
| ------- | ------------------ | --------------------------------------------- |
| Mainnet | `lumera-mainnet-1` | Production validation with real LUME at stake |
| Testnet | `lumera-testnet-2` | Practice runs and upgrade rehearsals          |

## Network information

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mainnet">
    | Item             | Value                                                                                                                |
    | ---------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
    | Chain ID         | `lumera-mainnet-1`                                                                                                   |
    | Denom            | `ulume` (6 decimals, 1 LUME = 1,000,000 ulume)                                                                       |
    | Min gas price    | `0.025ulume`                                                                                                         |
    | Seed node        | `f64b9efc5747cc3556bdc281dab930a716dd63af@seeds.lumera.io:26656`                                                     |
    | Genesis file     | [mainnet/genesis.json](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LumeraProtocol/lumera-networks/master/mainnet/genesis.json) |
    | Public RPC       | `https://rpc.lumera.io`                                                                                              |
    | Public API (LCD) | `https://lcd.lumera.io`                                                                                              |
    | Public gRPC      | `https://grpc.lumera.io`                                                                                             |
    | SN-API           | `https://snapi.lumera.io`                                                                                            |
    | Snapshot         | [Polkachu snapshots](https://www.polkachu.com/tendermint_snapshots/lumera) (about 11 GB, daily)                      |
    | Explorer         | [portal.lumera.io](https://portal.lumera.io)                                                                         |
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Testnet">
    | Item             | Value                                                                                                                    |
    | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
    | Chain ID         | `lumera-testnet-2`                                                                                                       |
    | Denom            | `ulume` (6 decimals, 1 LUME = 1,000,000 ulume)                                                                           |
    | Min gas price    | `0.025ulume`                                                                                                             |
    | Seed node        | `faff7c1350468c53121a669ac40e317a4a70c425@seeds.testnet.lumera.io:26656`                                                 |
    | Genesis file     | [testnet-2/genesis.json](https://raw.githubusercontent.com/LumeraProtocol/lumera-networks/master/testnet-2/genesis.json) |
    | Public RPC       | `https://lumera-testnet-rpc.polkachu.com`                                                                                |
    | Public API (LCD) | `https://lumera-testnet-api.polkachu.com`                                                                                |
    | Public gRPC      | [polkachu.com/testnet\_public\_grpc](https://www.polkachu.com/testnet_public_grpc)                                       |
    | SN-API           | `https://snapi.testnet.lumera.io`                                                                                        |
    | Snapshot         | [Polkachu testnet snapshots](https://www.polkachu.com/testnets/lumera/snapshots) (about 55 GB)                           |
    | Explorer         | [portal.testnet.lumera.io](https://portal.testnet.lumera.io/lumera-testnet-2)                                            |
    | Faucet           | [faucet.astrostake.xyz/lumera](https://faucet.astrostake.xyz/lumera)                                                     |
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Binary version

Run the version your chosen network is currently on.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mainnet">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://lumera-rpc.polkachu.com/abci_info | jq -r .result.response.version
    # 1.12.0
    ```
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Testnet">
    ```bash theme={null}
    curl -fsSL https://lumera-testnet-rpc.polkachu.com/abci_info | jq -r .result.response.version
    # 1.20.1
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

Releases ship a prebuilt `linux/amd64` binary together with the CosmWasm shared library and an installer, so you do not need Go or a compiler. ARM (including Apple Silicon) is not supported for production nodes.

## Hardware requirements

These are the specifications published in the [lumera-networks repository](https://github.com/LumeraProtocol/lumera-networks). Testnet runs on lighter hardware than mainnet.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mainnet">
    | Component | Minimum                   | Recommended               |
    | --------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------- |
    | CPU       | 8 cores (x86\_64)         | 16 cores                  |
    | RAM       | 32 GB                     | 64 GB                     |
    | Storage   | 2 TB NVMe SSD             | 4 TB NVMe SSD             |
    | Network   | 1 Gbps dedicated          | 5 Gbps+                   |
    | OS        | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or later |

    <Warning>
      Use NVMe SSDs. Mechanical drives cannot sustain a live CometBFT node, and SATA SSDs stall under load.
    </Warning>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Testnet">
    | Component | Minimum                   | Recommended               |
    | --------- | ------------------------- | ------------------------- |
    | CPU       | 4 vCPU (x86\_64)          | 8+ cores                  |
    | RAM       | 8 GB (+ 4 GB swap)        | 16 to 32 GB               |
    | Storage   | 250 GB NVMe/SSD           | 500 GB+ NVMe              |
    | Network   | 1 Gbps                    | 5 Gbps                    |
    | OS        | Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later | Ubuntu 24.04 LTS or later |

    <Warning>
      Testnet chain data is already about 55 GB and grows continuously. Start at 250 GB and enable pruning. HDDs are not viable. SATA SSDs may stall under load.
    </Warning>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## What you need

Both networks need a VPS or bare-metal server running Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later on x86\_64. The funding requirement differs.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mainnet">
    At least 1 LUME (1,000,000 ulume) for minimum self-delegation and fees. You will need a significant amount of LUME to enter the active set, which is capped at 50 validators.
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Testnet">
    Testnet LUME from the [faucet](https://faucet.astrostake.xyz/lumera) or the [Lumera Discord](https://discord.com/invite/lumeraprotocol).
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

## Next steps

The guide runs in three stages. Follow them in order for your chosen network.

<Tabs>
  <Tab title="Mainnet">
    <CardGroup cols={3}>
      <Card title="Node setup" icon="server" href="/validators/mainnet/node-setup">
        Install `lumerad`, sync the node, and run it under systemd.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Create validator" icon="key" href="/validators/mainnet/create-validator">
        Create a secured wallet, fund it, and submit the validator transaction.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Operations" icon="wrench" href="/validators/mainnet/operations">
        Day-to-day commands, chain upgrades, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
      </Card>
    </CardGroup>
  </Tab>

  <Tab title="Testnet">
    <CardGroup cols={3}>
      <Card title="Node setup" icon="server" href="/validators/testnet/node-setup">
        Install `lumerad`, sync the node, and run it under systemd.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Create validator" icon="key" href="/validators/testnet/create-validator">
        Create a wallet, fund it from the faucet, and submit the validator transaction.
      </Card>

      <Card title="Operations" icon="wrench" href="/validators/testnet/operations">
        Day-to-day commands, chain upgrades, monitoring, and troubleshooting.
      </Card>
    </CardGroup>
  </Tab>
</Tabs>