Setting Up Aztec Sequencer: A Work in Progress

Current Status: 80% uptime - Yeah, not my best stats, but let me explain why this one's different.

Why Aztec?

Zero-knowledge proofs for privacy on Ethereum? Sign me up! I've been following Aztec for a while, and when the opportunity to run a sequencer came up, I jumped on it.

The Reality Check

This isn't like running a standard Cosmos validator. Aztec's architecture is... let's say it's teaching me a lot.

Sequencer vs Validator

I'm running both:

• Validator: Relatively straightforward
• Sequencer: Whole different beast

The sequencer role involves:

• Ordering transactions
• Generating proofs
• Coordinating with other sequencers

The 80% Uptime Story

Let's be honest:

1. Learning Curve: There were initial setup mistakes
2. Resource Requirements: Had to upgrade my VPS twice
3. Network Updates: Fast-paced development means frequent updates
4. My Fault: Sometimes I didn't check Discord in time for urgent updates

What I'm Learning

Technical Skills

• Understanding zero-knowledge proof systems
• Managing more complex node architecture
• Better monitoring and alerting setup

Soft Skills

• It's okay to not be perfect
• Ask for help early (Discord community is gold)
• Document your mistakes

Current Improvements

I'm working on getting that uptime up:

• ✅ Better monitoring (Grafana + Prometheus)
• ✅ Auto-update scripts
• ✅ Set up Discord notifications
• 🔄 Optimizing resource allocation
• 🔄 Studying the codebase more

Would I Recommend It?

If you're experienced: Absolutely! It's cutting-edge tech.

If you're a beginner: Maybe start with simpler testnets first. This one requires more technical knowledge.

If you love learning: 100% yes! Even with the challenges, I'm learning so much.

The Goal

Get that uptime to 95%+ and really understand the Aztec architecture. I'm not giving up - this is exactly the kind of challenge I enjoy.

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Started: October 2024
Current Uptime: 80%
Target Uptime: 95%+
Learning Level: Maximum
Fun Factor: High (despite the struggles!)