How to Maintain 99,9% Uptime? Insights from Everstake’s DevOps Team

How important is it for validators to stay online? At Everstake, we maintain a 99.9% uptime, ensuring that our validators are always ready to secure the network and process transactions. This level of reliability is necessary for the efficiency and security of the blockchain.

At Everstake, maintaining high uptime for our validators is a key priority. We asked our DevOps team about the main factors that affect validator uptime and the best practices we follow to ensure maximum performance. In this article, we share these ideas to help others in the ecosystem achieve the same, specifically using the Aleo example. 

What is uptime and why does it matter?

Uptime represents the duration when the validator is available and working without interruption. The higher the uptime, the better the validator’s performance. This directly affects the stability and security of the blockchain.

In Proof-of-Stake networks like Aleo, validators play a critical role in maintaining security and integrity. A high stability percentage ensures validators can sign blocks, secure the network, and receive rewards. 

Accordingly, low uptime can lead to reward loss, penalties, delays in transaction processing, block production failures, and decreased overall trust in the network. An example of the performance of validators in the Aleo network is below.

Source: Aleo123

High uptime is not only a competitive advantage but also a necessity for validators seeking to contribute to the network’s long-term success. To increase your validator’s uptime, follow tips from our DepOvs. 

Five best practices for high uptime from Everstake’s DevOps

At Everstake, we know that achieving 99.9% uptime is not about luck. It takes a well-thought-out approach and the right tools. Here are the main practices from our DevOps team that make it possible.

1. Network Infrastructure Optimization

Server location. The geographical location of verification servers is an essential factor for network performance. Validators in different regions may experience network latency or outages due to regional Internet Service Provider (ISP) issues. To prevent such problems, we strategically place servers in regions with reliable infrastructure and minimal network delays.

Supplier quality. Validators hosted in high-quality data centers with stable power and redundant network connections are less prone to downtime. By choosing reliable data center providers, we minimize the possibility of network failures and outages.

2. Node and hardware configuration

Standardized configuration. Validation nodes can have different configurations, and poorly optimized settings can lead to instability. We implement standardized configuration files and recommend using official Docker images for consistent, reliable deployments. This helps us maintain uniformity and reduces the risk of errors caused by misconfigurations.

High-performance hardware. Servers equipped with high-performance processors, sufficient memory, and fast storage are necessary to efficiently process large volumes of transactions. 

3. Updates and maintenance

Update frequency. Regular updates are vital for security and performance but can lead to temporary downtime if not followed properly. We ensure that all system updates and reboots are scheduled during non-peak times to minimize their impact on validator uptime. Additionally, employing CI/CD pipelines helps to automate and streamline updates with minimal manual intervention.

4. Backup and monitoring systems

Backup. We use redundant servers and load balancing to distribute the workload across multiple nodes to ensure uninterrupted service. This setting provides resiliency in the event of hardware failure or high network demand, ensuring that validators remain online.

Constant monitoring. Advanced monitoring systems track performance in real-time, allowing us to identify and address potential issues before they cause downtime.

5. External factors

Aspects of the environment. Data centers are exposed to different external factors, like maintenance or climate-related failures. We choose premises with robust environmental controls and backup systems to ensure minimal impact on our operations.

Last words

Keeping validators online and running efficiently is an important aspect of any network. At Everstake, we adhere to all terms, focusing on a solid infrastructure, using high-quality equipment and having a robust monitoring plan. Our 99.9% uptime shows just how reliable our approach is, helping to keep networks like Aleo secure and efficient.

For any reliable validator, practices such as proper server placement, robust backup systems, and regular monitoring are crucial. By following these guidelines from our DevOps team, you can improve your uptime and contribute to the long-term success of the network.