Quick Guide
This guide will walk you step by step through deploying your own NEAR validator node on mainnet, using the Meta Pool Node Studio tool developed in collaboration with Openmesh.
✨ Introduction
In this guide, you’ll learn how to launch your NEAR validator node using Meta Pool Node Studio. The process is fully online, simple, intuitive, and avoids complex technical steps.
Requirements
Web3 wallet compatible with Ethereum (e.g., MetaMask) or Google Account
Wallet compatible with NEAR (e.g., Meteor Wallet)
Verified account with VPS provider (Hivelocity, Hetzner or Cherry Servers)
🏗️ Choose Your Infrastructure Provider
Node Studio currently supports two VPS providers. Please choose one to continue with the setup process:
Cherry Servers (Recommended) [Step 1A]
Machine: Cloud VPS 6 (Gen 2) Specs: 6-Core CPU, 6 GB RAM, 100 GB Storage (1x 100 GB SSD), 1 Gbps Networking, 1,024 GB Bandwidth Approx. cost: USD 11.8/month (VAT not included for EU residents)
Hivelocity [Step 1B] Machine: pro.md.amd Specs: 4-Core CPU, 8 GB RAM, 80 GB Storage (1x 80 GB NVMe), 1 Gbps Networking, 10000 GB Bandwidth Approx. cost: USD 15/month
Hetzner [Step 1C] Machine: cx33 Specs: 4-Core CPU, 8 GB RAM, 80 GB Storage (1x 80 GB SSD), 20480 GB Bandwidth Approx. cost: USD 8.37/month
💡 Note: Prices may vary over time depending on provider adjustments.
⚠️ Important:
Cherry Servers allows crypto payments and requires mandatory identity verification (KYC) before usage.
Hivelocity is considered more crypto-friendly, but includes an extra step in the setup process.
Hetzner is not a crypto-friendly provider. Users are responsible for evaluating whether it suits their needs. In some cases, hosting validator nodes may require migration to another provider in the future.
🛠️ Step 1A: Create a Cherry Servers Account and Obtain an API Key (Infrastructure Provider)
1.1 Create an account
Go to https://portal.cherryservers.com/register and create a new user account.
1.2 Complete identity verification (mandatory)
Once registered, go to your Profile and locate the “Identity verification” section. Complete the required verification process and wait until it is approved.
⚠️ Identity verification is mandatory to use Cherry Servers services.
1.3 Add a payment method and fund your balance
After verification approval:
Go to Profile → Billing
Add your preferred payment method
Cherry Servers supports crypto payments
In the Team Balance section, you must add an initial balance in order to rent a VPS.
💡 Pricing notes:
For users outside the European Union, the VPS cost is approximately USD 11.8
EU residents must calculate and include VAT on top of this amount
💳 Credit / Debit Card users: If you fund your balance using a credit or debit card, you can enable automatic future charges. After adding balance, go to User → Subscription Payments and enable Automatic Renewal to allow future charges to be processed automatically.
1.4 Generate an API Key
Once your account has available balance:
Create a new API Key
Copy and store it securely
1.5 Connect to Node Studio
Go to the Node Studio platform: https://near.xnode.openmesh.network/
1.6 Deploy the VPS
Click Deploy
Select the recommended VPS option:
Cloud VPS 6 (Gen 2) 6-Core CPU, 6 GB RAM, 100 GB SSD, 1 Gbps Networking, 1,024 GB Bandwidth
1.7 Link your Cherry Servers account
When prompted, paste the Cherry Servers API Key
Click Rent Server (⚠️ only once to avoid multiple charges)
1.8 Wait for provisioning
Wait a few minutes for the server rental to execute
The server will appear in Node Studio with status “Provisioning”
This process usually takes around 10 minutes
If after 10 minutes the status is still “Provisioning”, refresh the Node Studio page to update the status and continue with the validator setup process.
🛠️ Step 1B: Create a Hivelocity Account and Obtain an API Key (Infrastructure Provider)
1.1 Go to https://www.hivelocity.net/ and create an account.
1.2 Add a valid payment method and verify it. https://my.hivelocity.net/billing/payment-methods
1.3 Generate an API key under User > Settings > API Key. Save it securely. https://my.hivelocity.net/settings/api-keys
⚠️ Important: -You must validate a payment method in Hivelocity. This process can take up to 48 hours. Go to Billing > Payment Methods > Manage to validate your payment method. -Do not buy or rent VPS servers directly from Hivelocity. If you already did, please contact the Meta Pool team.
⚠️Disclaimer: Meta Pool has no partnership, affiliation, or commercial relationship with Hivelocity. The recommendation of Hivelocity as a VPS provider is based solely on its proven reliability and cost–quality balance. Any purchase, rental, or contract is made directly between the user and Hivelocity, without Meta Pool’s involvement.
🛠️ Step 1C: Create a Hetzner Account and Obtain an API Token (Infrastructure Provider)
1.1 Go to https://www.hetzner.com/ and create an account. Follow the guided process: Verification → Name → Contact → Payment.
1.2 Add and validate your payment method. You may optionally enable 2FA (Two-Factor Authentication) after adding the payment method.
1.3 Verify your identity (KYC): Log in to your Hetzner User Account, complete the identity verification process, and wait for approval.
1.4 Once verified, go to your Hetzner Console. A default project will be automatically created. Enter that project.
1.5 Navigate to Security → API Tokens → Generate API Token
Description: Any name you prefer
Permissions: Select Read & Write
1.6 Copy your API Token and go to Node Studio.
🛠️ Step 2: Connect to Node Studio
2.1 Go to the Node Studio Home page. https://near.xnode.openmesh.network/
2.2 Log in using either:
An EVM-compatible wallet (e.g., MetaMask) or
Your Google account.
2.3 Sign the authentication request.
🛠️ Step 3: Deploy Your VPS
3.1 On the Home page of Node Studio, click Deploy.
3.2 Choose a CherryServers, Hivelocity or Hetzner VPS Select any plan that includes at least:
4-Core CPU
6 GB RAM
80 GB Storage (1x 80 GB) or (1x 80 GB NVMe)
1 Gbps Networking
10,000 GB Bandwidth
3.3 Click Next After selecting your VPS, continue with the on-screen instructions using the Next button.
3.4 Link your Cherry, Hivelocity or Hetzner account You must link your account with the API Key/Token you previously saved. If you don’t have it, you can generate a new one.
3.5 Rent the server Click the Rent Server button (⚠️ only once! to avoid renting multiple VPS).
3.6 Node Studio will automatically:
Rent the VPS using your API key.
Install the operating system.
Set up all packages needed for the NEAR validator.
⚠️ This process usually takes ~10 minutes.
During this time:
Your VPS will appear listed on the Node Studio Home page (Cherry and Hetzner Users).
Once visible, click on it to enter the Dashboard, where you continue the validator installation.
Hivelocity Users (extra step) If for any reason your VPS doesn’t appear automatically on Node Studio Home a few minutes after the rental is executed, you need to import it manually.
To do this, follow these steps:
Go to your Hivelocity account and find your numeric IP address here: https://my.hivelocity.net/devices
Copy the IP address.
Go to Node Studio, click Import, paste the numeric IP address, and confirm.
🛠️ Step 4: Set Your Subdomain
Once in the Node Studio Dashboard, the first step is to set a subdomain. This improves security and ensures encrypted communication between your VPS, the validator, and Node Studio.
4.1 Locate the Subdomain field in the Dashboard.
4.2 Enter the name you want for your subdomain.
4.3 Click Claim to save it.
⚠️ Important:
The process may take a few minutes to complete.
Do not close or refresh the page until the subdomain is fully set.
🛠️ Step 5: Configure Your Pool
5.1 Enter a name for your validator in the “pool ID” field.
Must be unique and appropriate:
Do not use “Meta Pool,” offensive terms, or third-party brand names.
Only the following special characters are allowed: - (dash) and _ (underscore).
Do not use dots (.) or any other special characters.
5.2 Select pool type:
pool.near → upgradeable version, lower cost; recommended.
poolv1.near → legacy contract, higher cost.
5.3 Optional: Enable Pinger (sends automatic ping every epoch, ~7.3h).
Has a small NEAR cost from your wallet.
Not required; Meta Pool provides free automated pings.
Recommended: do not enable.
5.4 Set Reward Fee (validator commission).
⚠️ Maximum allowed for Meta Pool program: 7%.
🛠️ Step 6: Manage Your Node
6.1 Click Update OS to configure the system.
6.2 Click Deploy NEAR App to install the validator software.
🛠️ Step 7: Deploy Your Staking Pool
7.1 Go to "Manage Pool" section.
7.2 Connect your NEAR wallet.
7.3 Ensure the wallet has at least 5 NEAR.
7.4 Click Deploy Pool.
⚠️ Important:
This wallet becomes the contract owner: only it can modify the staking pool or receive fees. Secure your seed phrase.
Data from Configure Pool is used to create the staking contract.
Pool ID and pool type cannot be changed later.
Reward fee can be updated.
✅ Done! If you’ve followed all the steps, your validator node should now be synced and fully operational. It’s ready to start receiving stake and participating in block validation on the NEAR network.
🛠️ Step 8: Confirm With Meta Pool team (for pre-approved program users only)
8.1 Once the validator is running, send a screenshot of the logs to the Meta Pool team.
8.2 The team has 10 days to delegate the seat price.
8.3 Once delegated, your validator enters the active set on NEAR.
ℹ️ Troubleshooting
My node doesn’t appear: Wait up to 30 minutes. Ensure your Web3 wallet is connected properly.
Node isn’t syncing: Make sure the OS patch was applied correctly.
Can’t create pool: Check that your wallet has enough NEAR.
🚀 Support and Contact
If you have questions or need help, feel free to contact us at our validator Telegram group: https://t.me/MetaPoolOfficialGroup
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