# Mara Validating Notes ### 1-minute intro to the Mara chain: * Leveraging the Ethermint SDK supporting Cosmos and Ethereum address schemes. * TBD Initial modest performance objectives 1000 TPS with a ceiling of 100 validators in African and European data center locations and 5-7 seconds latency. * TBD The Mara token is inflationary. * TBD, Future evolutions of the network would likely include IBC connectivity, Cosmovisor, Axelar bridging, etc. ### Testnet Validator Onboarding * Node repo at github.com/mara-labs/mara-chain * Networks repo at http://github.com/mara-labs/networks * Validators channel in keybase.io/team/mara_validators. * Iris keybase validator avatar guide [github.com/irisnet/How to use keybase.md](https://github.com/irisnet/testnets/blob/master/fuxi/How%20to%20use%20keybase.md). * Cosmos infrastructure recommendation at [docs.tendermint.com/v0.34/tendermint-core/validators.html](https://docs.tendermint.com/v0.34/tendermint-core/validators.html#network-layout) for a hybrid on-prem validating node with a USB HSM, i.e., ledger. [Visual options of layered topologies](https://github.com/stakefish/cosmos-validator-design). Optional KMS option [github.com/iqlusioninc/tmkms](https://github.com/iqlusioninc/tmkms) * Mara is setting up a cloud-based validating node complementary to an on-prem node. An MPC (software) or HMS-based KMS solution is suggested to secure the keys. ### Uptime and redundancy * Cosmos suggested monitoring, alerting solution: [blog.solarlabs.ee/cosmos-how-to-monitoring-your-validator](https://blog.solarlabs.ee/cosmos-how-to-monitoring-your-validator-892a46298722) * Experience has shown that double signing is more likely to result from loose redundancy setups or misconfiguration rather than malicious intent. ### Community etiquette * Most validators, particularly multi-chain participants, demonstrate high professional and ethical standards, even contributing to the community. * Even reputable members may demonstrate a lapse of ethical judgment. * Both of the following profiles in practice have been effective: * Public branded validator profile with an accompanying website and development presence. * Private with a reliable historical record. * Cosmos validators [faq](https://hub.cosmos.network/main/validators/validator-faq.html)