Ethereum Validator Infrastructure Research

Hoodi Testnet Implementation & Educational Framework

Comprehensive research platform for Ethereum Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanisms, featuring containerized validator infrastructure, remote signing protocols, and educational blockchain attestation methodologies.

🎯 Research Objectives

This comprehensive Ethereum validator research project demonstrates advanced blockchain attestation mechanisms through practical implementation of Proof-of-Stake consensus infrastructure.

  • Consensus Layer Analysis: Lighthouse beacon node implementation
  • Execution Layer Integration: Geth client synchronization
  • Remote Signing Architecture: Web3Signer security protocols
  • Slashing Protection: PostgreSQL-based safety mechanisms
  • Testnet Operations: Hoodi network deployment

📊 Technical Specifications

Platform: Docker Compose Infrastructure
Network: Hoodi Ethereum Testnet
Consensus Client: Lighthouse (Sigma Prime)
Execution Client: Geth (Go Ethereum)
Signer: ConsenSys Web3Signer
Database: PostgreSQL 16 (Slashing Protection)

Hardware Requirements:

  • RAM: 16GB+ (32GB recommended)
  • Storage: 100GB+ SSD (NVMe preferred)
  • Network: High-bandwidth connection required

🏗️ Service Architecture

The validator infrastructure implements a four-layer architecture ensuring separation of concerns, security, and operational reliability:

1. Execution Client (Geth)

Purpose: Processes Ethereum transactions and maintains the execution layer

Ports: 8545 HTTP, 8551 Auth, 30303 P2P

Features: Snap sync, CORS enabled, JSON-RPC API

2. Beacon Node (Lighthouse)

Purpose: Manages consensus layer and validator coordination

Ports: 5052 HTTP, 9090 Metrics

Features: Checkpoint sync, JWT authentication

3a. PostgreSQL Database

Purpose: Slashing protection database for Web3Signer

Port: 5432 Internal

Features: Persistent storage, attestation history

3b. Web3Signer

Purpose: Remote key management and signing service

Port: 9000 HTTP

Features: BLS signing, API access, slashing protection

4. Validator Client (Lighthouse)

Purpose: Manages validator operations and attestations

Port: 5062 HTTP

Features: Remote signer integration, fee recipient management

⚙️ Implementation Framework

The research implementation includes comprehensive tooling for educational and operational purposes:

🔑 Key Generation Tools

# Custom Go-based key generator
go build -C eth-key-gen -o ../key_gen cmd/key_gen.go

# Generate withdrawal address (ECDSA)
./key_gen addr

# Generate signing keypair (BLS)
./key_gen sign

🐳 Docker Infrastructure

# Automated setup script
chmod +x setup.sh
./setup.sh

# Manual service management
docker-compose --env-file .env up -d
docker-compose ps

🔒 Security Implementation

Multi-layered security approach ensuring validator safety and operational integrity:

  • JWT Authentication: Secure execution-consensus layer communication
  • Slashing Protection: PostgreSQL-based attestation history tracking
  • Remote Signing: Isolated key management through Web3Signer
  • Air-gapped Key Generation: Offline key creation recommendations
  • Database Encryption: Password-protected slashing protection database

⚠️ Critical Security Notice:

Never test signing before staking unless the genesis_validators_root matches the current network. Remove slashing protection database before staking if testing was performed.

🚀 Deployment & Operation

Complete deployment pipeline from key generation through validator activation:

Phase 1: Environment Setup

# Create environment configuration
cat > .env << EOF
DB_PASSWORD=your_secure_password_here
FEE_RECIPIENT=0xYourEthereumAddressHere
EOF

Phase 2: Validator Registration

  • Fund Validator: Hoodi PoW Faucet (32+ ETH required)
  • Generate Deposit: Hoodi Staking Launchpad
  • Import Keystore: Web3Signer integration with YAML configuration
  • Submit Registration: Deploy to official deposit contract

Phase 3: Monitoring & Validation

📖 Educational Resources

  • 📋 Complete Setup Guide
  • Documentation: Full text with 217 detailed instructions
  • Configuration: Docker Compose (166 lines)
  • Automation: Setup script with JWT generation
  • Key Tools: Go-based Ethereum key generator

🔗 External Documentation

Educational research implementation for blockchain attestation and consensus mechanisms.
DALHousie Department of Attestation & Ledger Studies — In Signatura, Veritas