top of page
Search

Behind the Node (Part 2): Building the Most Overprepared Validator in Milton Keynes

  • info4491671
  • Oct 17
  • 3 min read

Introduction


Turning preparation into performance.
Turning preparation into performance.

If Part 1 was about courier chaos and patience, Part 2 is about precision — cables, cooling, and the quiet joy of seeing a system finally breathe on its own.

Milton Keynes might not sound like the capital of decentralisation, and that’s exactly why it works. In a world where Solana validators cluster around the same few data centres, ours stands alone. Literally.

We’re the only Solana validator at the nLighten data centre in Milton Keynes — and that means one thing: true decentralisation just earned another dot on the map.


A Unique Location for a Global Network


Most Solana validators live in data-heavy hubs like Frankfurt, New York, or Helsinki. They’re great for bandwidth but risky for diversity — too many eggs in the same digital basket.

By running from a UK-based Tier 3 nLighten facility, we add both geographic and jurisdictional diversity to the Solana ecosystem. Each independent validator strengthens the network’s resilience.

If decentralisation were a puzzle, the UK just clicked another missing piece into place.


The Hardware: A Bare-Metal Beast


When we say bare metal, we mean it. No cloud shortcuts, no shared resources — just a rackmount built to do one job perfectly.

Specs:

  • CPU: AMD Ryzen Threadripper PRO 7975WX — 32 cores @ 5.3 GHz

  • Motherboard: ASUS PRO WS WRX90E-SAGE SE (ECC RDIMM, PCIe 5.0)

  • Memory: 512 GB Kingston DDR5 ECC Registered (8×64 GB @ 4800 MHz)

  • Storage: 9 TB Samsung 990 PRO NVMe (PCIe 4.0)

  • GPU: NVIDIA RTX A400 (4 GB GDDR6)

  • Network: Intel X550-T2 10 Gbps dual-port

  • Power: CORSAIR RMx Series 1000 W (Gold-rated, modular)

  • Cooling: Arctic Freezer 4U-M Rev. 2

  • Chassis: InWin 4U rackmount with rail kit

It’s the kind of rig that could anchor a small planet. More importantly, it gives Solana another independent, high-performance node with no noisy neighbours.


Software Stack: Ubuntu, Solana & Stability


We run Ubuntu 24.04 LTS — chosen for stability and long-term security support — with the latest Solana v1.18.x release on top.

Configuration highlights:

  • Hardened SSH and firewall setup

  • Real-time performance dashboards (Grafana + Prometheus)

  • Custom alerting for vote success and uptime

  • Automated ledger-sync routines for flawless catch-up

Everything’s currently being refined on Solana Testnet for stability before the mainnet transition.


Remote Access, Real Control


All management happens through encrypted, authenticated remote access — no cloud layers, no third-party dependencies. That’s trust minimisation in practice.

It also means we can troubleshoot or fine-tune performance at 2 a.m. if needed. Uptime isn’t luck; it’s discipline, automation, and a bit of obsession.


Why It Matters


Building a validator this way — independent, transparent, and grounded in a real-world location — strengthens the decentralisation Solana was built for.

For delegators, this means:

  • More diverse validator geography

  • Lower systemic risk from regional clustering

  • A verifiable, operator-driven setup you can inspect yourself

For the Solana Foundation, it’s proof we’re investing in long-term, independent infrastructure — not temporary convenience. And for us, it’s a reminder: decentralisation isn’t a slogan. It’s built, rack by rack, block by block.


The Adventure Continues


Our Milton Keynes validator is live on testnet, humming inside nLighten DC’s quiet corridors. Next comes the leap to mainnet — tuning vote performance and opening for community delegation.

A few months ago, this data centre had no Solana presence. Now it hosts a new point of light on the decentralisation map.

Stay tuned for Part 3: “From Boxes to Blocks — Bringing the Validator Fully Online”, where we’ll share the lessons, tweaks, and surprises of our mainnet transition.


Join the Journey


Follow our validator’s progress, share feedback in the Solana Tech Discord, and help expand decentralisation in the UK.

 
 
 

Comments

bottom of page