This tutorial walks you through the process of registering a Conflux node as a PoS validator, from generating the PoS registration data and staking the required CFX to completing the registration on ConfluxHub.
1. Run a Conflux Node
For the official Conflux implementation (conflux-rust), PoW and PoS use the same client. A Conflux node works as both a PoW node and a PoS node at the same time, so you can follow the standard Run a Conflux Node guide. Either a full node or an archive node can be used.
The PoS configuration is located in the pos_config directory of the downloaded node package. In most cases, the settings in pos_config.yaml do not need to be modified.
When you start the node for the first time, you will be prompted to set a password to protect the node’s PoS private key. Keep this password safe, as it cannot be recovered if forgotten. The private key is stored in pos_config/pos_key, and it is recommended to back up this file.
Wait until the node is fully synchronized before proceeding with PoS registration. You can check the node logs and make sure Catch-up mode has changed to false.
2. Register the Node in PoS
To register a node in PoS, you need a Conflux Core Space account and the node’s PoS register data.
Make sure Fluent Wallet is installed and your account has enough CFX for the PoS votes you want to register, as well as some additional CFX for gas fees.
One PoS vote requires 1,000 CFX.
Generate the PoS Register Data
Run the following command in your Conflux node directory:
./conflux rpc local pos register --power 1
For example, the command will return two strings:
[
"<register-data>",
"<pos-node-address>"
]
The first string is the register data, which will be used to register the validator.
The second string is the PoS node address, which identifies your validator on the PoS chain.
Save both values before continuing.
Stake in PoW
Before registering your node in PoS, you need to stake CFX in PoW.
Open the ConfluxHub PoW Stake tool and connect your Fluent Wallet.
Enter the amount of CFX you want to stake and click Stake.
For example, if you want to register one PoS vote, stake 1,000 CFX.
1 PoS vote = 1,000 CFX
Confirm the transaction in Fluent Wallet and wait for it to be executed.
Register
After staking CFX in PoW, open the ConfluxHub PoS Register tool.
Paste the register data generated earlier into the Full node data field.
Enter the number of PoS votes you want to register. For example, if you staked 1,000 CFX and generated the register data with --power 1, enter 1 in the Votes field.
Click Register and Bind, then confirm the transaction in Fluent Wallet.
After the transaction is executed, the register data will be synchronized to the PoS chain. This process normally takes about 10 minutes.
3. Manage Your PoS Validator
After the register data has been synchronized to the PoS chain, you can access the validator dashboard in ConfluxHub.
The dashboard displays information about your validator, including its PoS address, votes, rewards, and locking or unlocking votes. You can also use the dashboard to stake more votes or unstake existing votes.
Stake More Votes
You can add more votes to your validator at any time.
First, stake the corresponding amount of additional CFX using the ConfluxHub PoW Stake tool.
Then return to the validator dashboard, enter the number of additional votes you want to stake, and click Stake.
The new votes will normally be synchronized to the PoS chain in about 10 minutes.
Newly staked votes normally remain in the locking state for about 13 days before becoming locked. Votes in the locking state can still receive PoS rewards.
Unstake Votes
To unstake votes from your validator, enter the number of votes you want to unstake in the validator dashboard and click Unstake.
The change will normally be synchronized to the PoS chain in about 10 minutes.
Unstaked votes enter the unlocking state. Normally, they remain in this state for between 1 and 14 days before becoming unlocked.
Once the votes are unlocked, the corresponding CFX can be withdrawn through the ConfluxHub PoW Stake tool.
4. View Validator Status in ConfluxScan
You can also view your validator’s status in ConfluxScan using the PoS node address returned during registration.
Use the following URL:
https://confluxscan.org/pos/accounts/0x<your-pos-node-address>?tab=overview
The validator page provides more detailed information about the validator, including its status, incoming history, voting history, and pending locking or unlocking votes.
5. Safely Stop or Restart a PoS Validator
A PoS validator should not be shut down directly while it is participating in consensus.
If a validator is selected into the PoS committee and fails to send consensus messages for three consecutive epochs, it may be force retired. Therefore, follow the safe restart procedure whenever you need to stop the node for maintenance or an upgrade.
Important: Do not run multiple PoS nodes using the same PoS key. Incorrect handling of the PoS key or secure storage may result in penalties or slashing.
You should also make sure that your node is running normally and synchronized to the latest block. If the node is not operating correctly, it may not participate normally in PoS consensus.