Ethereum 2.0 node running on my Raspberry Pi - I've still yet to read the book, but I thought these together would make a good photo op

After taking part in the Topaz testnet, I obviously had to take part in Ethereum 2.0’s “official” multi-client testnet 😊 - hopefully the final testnet before mainnet launches.

The testnet has been eventful and it had a very bumpy start after a major bug was discovered in the Prysm client - which resulted in taking down a majority of the validators on the network. The bug related to time sync issues caused by roughtime cloud servers. More on the incident can be found here - https://medium.com/prysmatic-labs/eth2-medalla-testnet-incident-f7fbc3cc934a.

The network was struggling with finalization issues for multiple days, but amazingly the network never died. Apparently, the network has been designed to survive a WW3 type of event, so it was awesome to see this in action.

As a bonus, because my node was online and still attesting blocks throughout this period, I was able to claim a “Medalla Testnet Resuscitator POAP”, my very first non-fungible token -

My "Medalla Testnet Resuscitator POAP" - only about 500 in existence!

After a month or so I decided to switch clients. I had been running the Prysm client, but decided to give the Lighthouse client a go. I definitely also wanted to earn the Lighthouse client POAP too (I had already got the Prysm client POAP in the bag).

I got Lighthouse up and running on my Raspberry Pi by following these handy guides -

Ethereum 2.0 - geth + Lighthouse beacon node + Lighthouse validator

In this configuration, it’s also my first time running an Ethereum geth node too. All in all, it’s been fun getting these nodes operational and I’ve brushed up on a bit of Linux sysadmin stuff too.