# How to move node using snapshot

Hi guys, today I am going to tell you how to start validator node using snapshot, this is really useful when you need to move a node to another server.

{% hint style="info" %}
By default, nodes are configured for fast synchronization. The last state of the chain is reached in about 15-30 minutes. You may need a database that includes a larger amount of data stored in a snapshot (time for downloading and unpacking at least 2 hours. Size \~400GB)
{% endhint %}

## Set var

> It is assumed that you have already done the initial preparation of the server, including installing the docker, configuring the firewall, etc.

> Change "alice" to your username

```bash
echo export USERNAME=alice >> $HOME/.bash_profile
echo export WORKSPACE=mainnet >> $HOME/.bash_profile
source $HOME/.bash_profile
mkdir ~/$WORKSPACE
cd ~/$WORKSPACE
```

```bash
sudo apt-get install lz4
```

## Create database directory

The folder with the database must be in the folder where the container will be created at start, by default this is <mark style="color:purple;">**/var/lib/docker/volumes/**</mark>

If you have changed the root directory of the docker, you should use the directory you use

You can check it with the command:

```bash
docker info|grep "Docker Root Dir"
```

For VFN:

```bash
mkdir -p /var/lib/docker/volumes/aptos-fullnode/_data/
```

For Validator:

```bash
mkdir -p /var/lib/docker/volumes/aptos-validator/_data/
```

## Download snapshot

{% hint style="info" %}
You can use one of the options of your choice:\
1\. Bwarelabs: <https://bwarelabs.com/snapshots/aptos>\
2\. Polkachu: <https://polkachu.com/aptos_snapshots/aptos>\
Check the latest snapshot on their website before proceeding to the next step
{% endhint %}

```bash
wget https://snapshots.bwarelabs.com/aptos/mainnet/aptos20240501.tar.lz4
```

### Decompress the archive to workspace directory:

```bash
lz4 -c -d aptos20240501.tar.lz4 | tar -x -C ~/$WORKSPACE
```

Then move files to data directory:

For VFN:

```bash
mv ~/$WORKSPACE/data/* /var/lib/docker/volumes/aptos-fullnode/_data/
```

For Validator:

```bash
mv ~/$WORKSPACE/data/* /var/lib/docker/volumes/aptos-validator/_data/
```

## Download the files needed to run VFN or Validator

<figure><img src="/files/Gxi4UlvVbWgRAvZuECRl" alt=""><figcaption><p>files for VFN</p></figcaption></figure>

<figure><img src="/files/YOiRvMdLVr3jYWSCpu6z" alt=""><figcaption><p>files for Validator</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Remember to change the IP to the new one in the configuration file <mark style="color:purple;">\~/$WORKSPACE/alice/operator.yaml</mark>
{% endhint %}

### Start your node

VFN:

```bash
cd ~/$WORKSPACE && docker-compose -f docker-compose-fullnode.yaml up -d
```

OR

Validator:

```bash
cd ~/$WORKSPACE && docker-compose up -d
```

### Update on-chain network addresses and update on-chain consensus key (only for Validator)

> Change \<pool-address> to your pool-address

```bash
aptos node update-validator-network-addresses  \
  --pool-address <pool-address> \
  --operator-config-file ~/$WORKSPACE/$USERNAME/operator.yaml \
  --profile mainnet-operator
```

```bash
aptos node update-consensus-key  \
  --pool-address <pool-address> \
  --operator-config-file ~/$WORKSPACE/$USERNAME/operator.yaml \
  --profile mainnet-operator
```

All done. Now you can check the connection your node <https://aptos.dev/nodes/validator-node/operator/node-liveness-criteria>

## Delete the downloaded archive to save space

```
rm -v aptos20240501.tar.lz4
```

## More information can be found here

1. <https://aptos.dev/nodes/validator-node/operator/node-requirements>
2. <https://aptos.dev/nodes/full-node/bootstrap-fullnode>
3. <https://aptos.dev/nodes/validator-node/operator/connect-to-aptos-network>
4. <https://aptos.dev/nodes/validator-node/operator/running-validator-node/run-validator-node-using-docker>\ <br>


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