SSV Operator
Last updated
Last updated
This guide references the ideas and work of one of the Lido Community Staking members, @ivans_music. Check out his original work below!
Spin up a virtual machine on a cloud service with the following specifications using the reference page below.
CPU: 4 cores
RAM: 16GB
SSD: 250GB
OS: Ubuntu 24.04
Tip: Open these reference pages in a new tab/window so that you can switch between them easily
Each cluster member will need to spin up an SSV node using ETH Docker. Refer to the page below to install it. Come back to this page right before the ethd config command is run,
Follow along the prompts in the terminal UI (TUI) to:
Choose Holešovice Testnet >> SSV node - consensus, execution and ssv-node
Select yes for Do you want to participate in DKG ceremonies as an operator?
Once you see the screen below, select <Cancel> as we don't have our Operator ID yet.
Then copy your SSV node public key from your terminal output and save it on a text editor
Go to the SSV webapp, connect your wallet, and set the network to Holesky.
Select Join as Operator >> Register Operator
Paste your SSV node public key into the Operator Public Key field. Make sure there are no whitespaces in your pasted string.
Keep Operator Status to Public
Set the annual fee to 1.5 SSV per validator key, representing ~1.5% staking rewards fee at current $ETH and $SSV prices ($2650 & $23).
Register operator and sign the transaction on your wallet
Your SSV Operator ID will then be generated. Copy it and save it in a text editor file.
Setting your Operator Status to Public allows other stakers to select your SSV node as one of their DV operators, allowing them to pay you for your service. You can also easily net off the fees among your own DVT cluster members if you wish.
Go back to the terminal of your VM.
Choose Holešovice Testnet >> SSV node - consensus, execution and ssv-node
Select yes for Do you want to participate in DKG ceremonies as an operator?
Because you now have your SSV Operator ID, you can paste it in the requested field
Select the consensus and execution client of your choice
Use the provided URL for Checkpoint Sync, select yes for MEV Boost, yes for Grafana dashboards
Set Rewards Address to an ERC-20 wallet address that you control (e.g., Metamask, hardware wallet)
use default Graffiti, yes for generate validator keys
Open up the ETH Docker .env file for editing.
Add #to the start of the MEV_RELAYS= line.
Copy the string below and paste it in the next line, under the current #MEV_RELAYS= line.
This enables your SSV Node to use all MEV Relays which maximises MEV rewards for stakers using SSV.
Change the SSV_DKG_PORT= to 443 (from 3030).
CTRL+O, ENTER, CTRL+X to save and exit.
Find the external IP address of your VM on your Google Cloud account >> Console >> Compute Engine >> Look under "External IP".
Your DKG endpoint will be <EXTERNAL_IP_ADDRESS>:443,without the pointy brackets. Note that down and save it in a text editor file.
Verify that your DKG endpoint is accessible from external sources.
Expected output:
Go back to the SSV webapp >> Connect your wallet >> Switch to Holesky network >> go to My Account and click on your SSV Operator.
Select the ... drop down at the top right >> Edit Details
Select all options under MEV Relays.
The MEV Relays are actually set in your ETH Docker config and this step is just to signal the relays that you are using.
All cluster members must use the same relays to avoid missing block proposals due to a lack of consensus!
Use all available MEV Relays so that it's easier for stakers to choose your SSV Node.
Input your DKG endpoint and append :443 at the end if you are using a Tailscale funnel.
The other fields are optional but fill them up to attract stakers to select your SSV Operator!
Make sure to also configure port forwarding on the ports allowed above.
