Migrate one Oraichain node to another

Migrating your node to a new machine doesn't have to be complicated. Follow this structured guide to ensure a smooth transition with minimal downtime.

[!CAUTION] ⚠️ Do not put priv_validator_key.json on two running nodes simultaneously. Your validator will be jailed forever !!!

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1. Back Up Your Current Node Information

Before starting, backup your node's essential files to prevent any data loss:

cp -r ~/.oraid/config/priv_validator_key.json ~/.oraid/config/node_key.json ~/backup/

These files are crucial for maintaining your validator identity.

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2. Set Up a New Node

Initialize a new node to prepare for the migration. Follow the full node setup guide here. You can reuse the same moniker as your existing node.

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3. Sync the New Node with the Network

Ensure your new node synchronizes with the network before migration to minimize downtime. Start your new node with a persistent connection to an existing network node.

oraid start --p2p.persistent_peers="<existing-node-id>@<ip>:<port>"

Let it fully sync before proceeding.

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4. Shut Down the Old Node

Once the new node is synced, gracefully stop the old node:

systemctl stop orai

This step prevents conflicts between the two nodes.

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5. Transfer Node Data to the New Machine

Copy the backed-up files to the new node:

scp ~/backup/priv_validator_key.json ~/backup/node_key.json <new-node-ip>:~/.oraid/config/

Ensure the new node retains the same identity by using the copied keys.

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6. Restart the New Node

Apply the changes by restarting the new node:

oraid start

Monitor logs to verify it is running correctly.

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7. Verify Voting Power and Node ID

Run the following command to check if your node has successfully migrated:

oraid status && oraid tendermint show-node-id

• If the voting power and node ID match your previous node, congratulations! 🎉 Your migration is complete.

• If not, double-check the copied files and restart the node.

• Common mistakes include not stopping the old node first or copying files before the new node has finished syncing.

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8. Import Your Wallet (Optional)

If you need to restore your wallet on the new node, use:

oraid keys add <wallet-name> --recover

Alternatively, use the explorer to manage your wallet effortlessly.

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Final Thoughts

Your old node remains unaffected throughout the process. If needed, you can always revert by restarting the old node.

🚀 Happy validating!