Setting Up a Node (Microsoft Azure Option) - GovtBlockchainAssoc/DraftDocs GitHub Wiki

These instructions will walk you through the steps to set up and deploy the Ethereum Proof-of-Authority (PoA) GBA blockchain node on Microsoft Azure. This is the simplest option for setting up a node on the GBA blockchain – no development or tech support skills are required, just fill out the forms and it will happen automatically. You can also run a node in AWS (or any other cloud provider that provides virtual machines) or on an in-house server.

Approximate time to complete: 30 minutes

Information required to complete these steps:

  • Before you set up a node, please contact Mark Waser at [email protected] for a Consortium Member ID.
  • To verify your identity, Microsoft requires a valid credit card and phone number. Your credit card will only be charged if you upgrade service.

Instructions

Create a free Azure account

URL: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/free/

The blockchain service will not be free but you will get $200 credit for the first month which will cover all possible experimentation

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Sign into your Microsoft account or create a new one.

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Complete the About You form and select Next.

  • Country/Region
  • First Name
  • Last Name
  • Email Address
  • Phone Number

Follow the identity verification by phone instructions to verify your identity via SMS or phone call. Enter a phone number, receive text or call and provide identity verification code

Follow the identity verification by card instructions to verify your identity with a credit card.

There are no upfront charges or fees (review pricing information).

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The customer agreement and privacy agreement are required to set up an account.

Select Sign up.

Your Microsoft Azure account is now ready for use.

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While logged in to your Azure account, follow the steps https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/blockchain/templates/ethereum-poa-deploymenthttps://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/blockchain/templates/ethereum-poa-deployment.

Configure Ethereum Settings

You’ll complete the Ethereum on Azure configuration in 6 steps:

The specific options you’ll select for GBA are the following:

Basics

Select the Join Existing network option.

Deployment regions

Enter regions.

Network size and performance

Number of load balanced validator nodes: 2

Ethereum settings

Consortium Member ID:

Enter ID as assigned by Mark Waser ([email protected])

Network ID

Admin Ethereum Address: 0xc13b4e4cB7c2AF0D90A293d4d94De61Bf5317504

Consortium Data URL:

http://etht5zt7j-dns-eg1.eastus2.cloudapp.azure.com:3001         

Advanced Options:

Disable

Note: Other hosting platforms will need the information listed for the above 4 Ethereum Settings page as well.

Monitoring:

Disable

Summary

(Review your settings)

The node will then connect with the GBA main blockchain, receive all necessary Solidity code automatically as part of the syncing process and start operating as soon as the sync process is complete.

(Node Owners) Nominate Yourself as a Validator

After completing node setup, node owners need to nominate themselves to be a validator. Instructions are at https://docs.microsoft.com/en-us/azure/blockchain/templates/ethereum-poa-deployment#governance-dapp

Configure BlockScout

Follow the instructions at the link below to set up BlockScout.

BlockScout is an open-source application that enables users to inspect and analyze transactions on Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) blockchains.

https://github.com/Azure-Samples/blockchain/tree/master/ledger/template/ethereum-on-azure/technology-samples/blockscout

All done!