Step 3: Installation

Installing the Solana CLI, generating identity keys, and configuring the cluster.

Step 3: Installation

We will install the official binary release of the Solana (Agave) client. This tool suite includes the solana-validator binary required to run your node and the solana CLI for managing keys.

1. Install Solana Tool Suite

We will install the latest stable release directly from the official release channel.

💡 Version Check: As of late 2024, the recommended Mainnet version is typically in the v1.18.x or v2.0.x (Agave) series.

• Always check the official Solana Tech Discord #mb-announcement channel for the exact version tag before installing.

A. Download and Install Switch to your solana user and run the installation script.

Bash

# Switch to the service user
su - solana

# Install the stable release
sh -c "$(curl -sSfL https://release.solana.com/stable/install)"

B. Update PATH The installer will ask you to update your PATH. Add this to your shell profile so the commands are available every time you log in.

Bash

# Add to .profile (or .bashrc)
echo 'export PATH="/home/solana/.local/share/solana/install/active_release/bin:$PATH"' >> ~/.profile

# Reload profile
source ~/.profile

# Verify installation
solana --version

Expected output: solana-cli 1.18.x ...

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2. Generate Identity Keypair

Every node on the network (Validator or RPC) requires a "Node Identity." This keypair identifies your machine to the cluster and allows it to participate in the gossip protocol.

⚠️ Security Warning: This keypair must be stored on the server (Hot Wallet).

• For Validators: This key signs blocks. If stolen, attackers can slash your validator.

• For RPCs: This key has no funds, but establishes your node's reputation.

A. Create a Keys Directory

Bash

mkdir -p /home/solana/keys

B. Generate the Keypair

Bash

solana-keygen new -o /home/solana/keys/validator-identity.json

You will be asked for a passphrase. For automated servers, most operators leave this empty (press Enter), but institutional setups may use a password manager to inject the passphrase on boot.

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3. Configure Cluster

Now we tell the Solana CLI to talk to Mainnet Beta by default and use the keypair we just generated.

Bash

# Set target to Mainnet Beta
solana config set --url https://api.mainnet-beta.solana.com

# Set default keypair
solana config set --keypair /home/solana/keys/validator-identity.json

Verify connectivity:

Bash

solana gossip

You should see a massive list of IP addresses. This confirms your node can reach the network.

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4. Node Types: What's next?

At this stage, the path diverges depending on your goal:

• Option A: RPC Node (Non-Voting)

  • You do not need a Vote Account.

  • You are ready to create the startup script.

• Option B: Validator Node (Voting)

  • You strictly require a Vote Account Keypair to participate in consensus.

  • We will generate this in the Validator Setup section.