# Celestia Light Node Implementation with Resource-Optimized Monitoring

## Project Overview

In this project, I designed and implemented a professional Celestia Light Node deployment with a custom monitoring dashboard, specifically optimized for resource-constrained VPS environments. This project showcases my ability to work with blockchain infrastructure while implementing proper DevOps practices for a production environment.

## The Challenge

Running blockchain nodes typically requires substantial computing resources - something that can be challenging on shared or budget VPS instances. I wanted to develop a solution that would:

1. Successfully run a Celestia Light Node (a new modular blockchain technology)
2. Minimize resource impact on other services running on the same VPS
3. Provide comprehensive real-time monitoring
4. Implement production-level reliability and security
5. Document the entire process for others to follow

## Technical Implementation

### Celestia Node Configuration

I first tackled the resource optimization challenge by implementing specific systemd service configurations with precise resource limits:

CPUWeight=50
MemoryLimit=2G
IOWeight=50

This allowed me to run the node with a defined "ceiling" for resource consumption, preventing it from negatively impacting other services on my VPS. I also included security hardening parameters such as:

ProtectSystem=full
PrivateTmp=true
NoNewPrivileges=true
ProtectHome=read-only

These measures help protect against potential exploits by restricting what the process can access within the system.

### Monitoring Dashboard

For the monitoring component, I created a custom Node.js/Express dashboard that provides real-time visualization of:

- Node operational status
- System resource utilization (CPU, memory, disk)
- Network traffic statistics
- Live log output with error highlighting

The dashboard itself is designed to have minimal resource impact (<20MB memory usage) and is accessible only through a secure SSH tunnel rather than being exposed to the internet, adding an important security layer.

## Technical Skills Demonstrated

This project showcases my abilities in several technical areas:

- **Blockchain Infrastructure**: Setting up and maintaining a node on a cutting-edge modular blockchain
- **System Administration**: Implementing proper resource constraints and security measures
- **Full-Stack Development**: Creating a lightweight monitoring dashboard with Node.js/Express/EJS
- **DevOps Practices**: Implementing systemd services with appropriate hardening and reliability configurations
- **Security Implementation**: Using SSH tunneling for secure access without public exposure

## Challenges and Solutions

The most significant challenge was finding the right balance between resource limitations and node performance. Setting the memory limit too low caused the node to crash during high-activity periods, while setting it too high affected other services.

I solved this by implementing a systematic approach to resource monitoring, finding that a 2GB memory limit provided the optimal balance for my specific VPS configuration. I also extensively tested various CPU and I/O weights to ensure fair resource allocation across all services.

## Outcome

The result is a production-ready Celestia Light Node implementation that:

1. Runs reliably with minimal maintenance requirements
2. Uses resources efficiently without impacting other services
3. Provides comprehensive monitoring capabilities
4. Implements security best practices
5. Is thoroughly documented for others to replicate

This project demonstrates my ability to implement blockchain infrastructure in resource-constrained environments while following professional DevOps practices, making it directly applicable to real-world production scenarios.

## Links

- [GitHub Repository](https://github.com/mbennett-labs/celestia-node-project)
- [Technical Documentation](https://hackmd.io/@xbBf1zpRTXaSATerS04iJg/By9lgOuaJg)