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A SuperNode extends a Lumera Protocol validator with Cascade storage, Sense verification, and AI inference. It earns additional rewards for that work on top of staking income. This page is the condensed orientation. The full runbook lives in the SuperNode section.

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Before you start

You need four things.
  • A validator in a bonded state. If you do not have one yet, start with Run a validator.
  • A separate server. The SuperNode must never share a host with the validator. It keeps its own account, keys, and stake delegation, and talks to the chain over gRPC.
  • Access to the validator operator key. It signs the registration transaction.
  • SuperNode hardware. Plan for at least 8 CPU cores, 16 GB RAM, a 1 TB NVMe SSD, and a 1 Gbps connection. Ports 4444 (gRPC) and 4445 (P2P) must be reachable.
The pairing itself is two on-chain records. A registration signed by the validator operator binds the SuperNode endpoint and account to the validator, and a stake delegation from the SuperNode account backs it.

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The path

Four stages take you from a bonded validator to a registered SuperNode.
  • Provision a second server. Ubuntu 22.04 LTS or later on x86_64 hardware that meets the specs above.
  • Install with sn-manager. The manager downloads the supernode binary, applies updates automatically, and supervises the service. Configuration lives in ~/.supernode/config.yml.
  • Fund the SuperNode account and delegate. LEP-3, a Lumera Enhancement Proposal, defines a dual stake rule. Your validator self-delegation plus the delegation from the SuperNode account must together meet the minimum, 10,000 LUME on testnet and 25,000 LUME on mainnet. Governance can change these values.
  • Register from the validator host. The validator operator key signs the transaction that binds the SuperNode endpoint and account to your validator.
Two commands anchor the flow. The runbook walks through everything around them.
Verify the stake minimum before you register. The minimum_stake_for_sn parameter is set by governance and can change.

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Earning for retention

SuperNodes that keep Cascade data available receive ongoing payouts from the Everlight SN Pool, proportional to the data they retain. Everlight for SuperNode operators explains eligibility and payout mechanics.

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Next steps

SuperNode overview

Architecture, staking requirements, and hardware in full.

Node setup

Install and configure the SuperNode with sn-manager.

Everlight payouts

How retention compensation works for operators.