
import { Callout } from 'nextra/components';
import { Tabs } from 'nextra/components';
import { VarInfo } from 'components/variable-info.tsx';
import { Steps } from 'nextra/components';
import {Accordion, AccordionItem} from "@nextui-org/react";
import { MyTab } from 'components/generic-tabs.tsx';
import { AccordionTemplate } from 'components/accordion-template.tsx';

# Advanced Server Administration

This page is for experienced operators and aspiring sys-admins who seek for higher optimisation and better efficiency of their work managing Nym infrastructure. The steps shared on this page cannot be simply copy-pasted, they ask you for more attention and consideration all the way from choosing server and OS to specs per VM allocation.

<VarInfo />

## Virtualising a Dedicated Server

Some operators or squads of operators orchestrate multiple Nym nodes. Among other benefits (which are out of scope of this page), these operators can decide to acquire one larger dedicated (or bare-metal) server with enough specs (CPU, RAM, storage, bandwidth and port speed) to meet [minimum requirements](../../../nodes#minimum-requirements) for multiple nodes run in parallel.

This guide explains how to prepare your server in order to be able to host multiple nodes running on separated VMs.

<Callout type="info">
This guide is based on Ubuntu 22.04, in case you prefer another OS, you may have to do a bit of your own research to troubleshoot networking configuration and other parameters.
</Callout>

## Installing KVM on a Server with Ubuntu 22.04

**KVM** stands for **Kernel-based Virtual Machine**. It is a virtualization technology for Linux that allows a user to run multiple virtual machines (VMs) on a single physical machine. KVM turns the Linux kernel into a hypervisor, enabling it to manage multiple virtualised systems.

Follow the steps below to install KVM on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS.

### Prerequisites

<Callout type="warning">
Operators aiming to run Nym node as mixnet [Exit Gateway](../../../community-counsel/exit-gateway) or with wireguard enabled should familiarize themselves with the challenges possibly coming along `nym-node` operation, described in our [community counsel](../../../community-counsel) and follow up with [legal suggestions](../../../community-counsel/legal). Particularly important is to [introduce yourself](../../../community-counsel/legal#introduce-nym-node-to-your-provider) and your intentions to run a Nym node to your provider.

This step is essential part of legal self defense because it may prevent your provider immediately shutting down your entire service (with all the VMs on it) when receiving first abuse report.

Additionally, before purchasing a large server, **contact the provider and ask if the offered CPU supports Virtualization Technology (VT)**, without this feature you will not be able to proceed.
</Callout>

Start with obtaining a server with Ubuntu 22.04 LTS:
- Make sure that your server meets [minimum requirements](../vps-setup#nym-node---dedicated-server) multiplied by number of `nym-node` instance you aim to run on it.
- Most people rent a server from a provider and it comes with a pre-installed OS (in this guide we use Ubuntu 22.04). In case your choice is a bare-metal machine, you probably know what you are doing, there are some useful guides to install a new OS, like [this one on ostechnix.com](https://ostechnix.com/install-ubuntu-server/).

Make sure thay your system actually supports hardware virtualisation:
- Check out the methods documented in [this guide by ostechnix.com](https://ostechnix.com/how-to-find-if-a-cpu-supports-virtualization-technology-vt/).

Order enough IPv4 and IPv6 (static and public) addresses to have one of each for each planned VM plus one extra for the main machine.


When you have your OS installed, validated CPU virtualisation support and obtained IP addresses, you can start configuring your VMs, following the steps below.

> Note that the commands below require root permission. You can either go through the setup as `root` or use `sudo` prefix with the commands used in the guide. You can switch to `root` shell by entering one of these commands `sudo su` or `sudo -i`.
<Steps>

##### 1. Install KVM

- Install KVM and required components:
```sh
apt install qemu-kvm libvirt-daemon-system libvirt-clients bridge-utils virtinst
```
<br/>
<AccordionTemplate name="Component breakdown">
- `qemu-kvm`: Provides the core **KVM virtualization** support using QEMU.
- `libvirt-daemon-system`: Manages virtual machines via the **libvirt daemon**.
- `libvirt-clients` Provides command-line tools like `virsh` to manage VMs.
- `bridge-utils`: Enables **network bridging**, allowing VMs to communicate over the network.
- `virtinst`: Includes `virt-install` for **creating virtual machines** via CLI.
</AccordionTemplate>

- Start the `libvertd` service:
```sh
systemctl enable libvirtd
systemctl start libvirtd
```
- Validate by checking status of `libvirt` service:
```sh
systemctl status libvirtd
```
<br/>
<AccordionTemplate name="Console output">
The command output should look similar to this one:
```
root@nym-exit:~# systemctl status libvirtd
● libvirtd.service - Virtualization daemon
     Loaded: loaded (/lib/systemd/system/libvirtd.service; enabled; vendor preset: enabled)
     Active: active (running) since Thu 2025-02-27 14:25:28 MSK; 2min 1s ago
TriggeredBy: ● libvirtd-ro.socket
             ● libvirtd.socket
             ● libvirtd-admin.socket
       Docs: man:libvirtd(8)
             https://libvirt.org
   Main PID: 6232 (libvirtd)
      Tasks: 21 (limit: 32768)
     Memory: 11.8M
        CPU: 852ms
     CGroup: /system.slice/libvirtd.service
             ├─6232 /usr/sbin/libvirtd
             ├─6460 /usr/sbin/dnsmasq --conf-file=/var/lib/libvirt/dnsmasq/default.conf --leasefile-ro --dhcp-script=/usr/lib/libvirt/libvirt_leaseshelper
             └─6461 /usr/sbin/dnsmasq --conf-file=/var/lib/libvirt/dnsmasq/default.conf --leasefile-ro --dhcp-script=/usr/lib/libvirt/libvirt_leaseshelper

Feb 27 14:25:28 nym-exit.example.com systemd[1]: Started Virtualization daemon.
Feb 27 14:25:30 nym-exit.example.com dnsmasq[6460]: started, version 2.90 cachesize 150
Feb 27 14:25:30 nym-exit.example.com dnsmasq[6460]: compile time options: IPv6 GNU-getopt DBus no-UBus i18n IDN2 DHCP DHCPv6 no-Lua TFTP conntrack ipset no-nftset auth cryptohash DNSSEC loop-detect inotify dump>
Feb 27 14:25:30 nym-exit.example.com dnsmasq-dhcp[6460]: DHCP, IP range 192.168.122.2 -- 192.168.122.254, lease time 1h
Feb 27 14:25:30 nym-exit.example.com dnsmasq-dhcp[6460]: DHCP, sockets bound exclusively to interface virbr0
Feb 27 14:25:30 nym-exit.example.com dnsmasq[6460]: reading /etc/resolv.conf
Feb 27 14:25:30 nym-exit.example.com dnsmasq[6460]: using nameserver 127.0.0.53#53
Feb 27 14:25:30 nym-exit.example.com dnsmasq[6460]: read /etc/hosts - 8 names
Feb 27 14:25:30 nym-exit.example.com dnsmasq[6460]: read /var/lib/libvirt/dnsmasq/default.addnhosts - 0 names
Feb 27 14:25:30 nym-exit.example.com dnsmasq-dhcp[6460]: read /var/lib/libvirt/dnsmasq/default.hostsfile
```
</AccordionTemplate>

- In case you don't configure KVM as `root`, add your current user to the `kvm` and `libvirt` groups to enable VM creation and management using the `virsh` command-line tool or the `virt-manager` GUI:
```bash
usermod -aG kvm $USER
usermod -aG libvirt $USER
```

##### 2. Setup Bridge Networking with KVM

A **bridged network** lets VMs share the host’s network interface, allowing direct IPv4/IPv6 access like a physical machine.

By default, KVM sets up a **private virtual bridge**, enabling VM-to-VM communication within the host. It provides its own subnet, DHCP, and NAT for external access.

Check the IP of KVM’s default virtual interfaces with:

```bash
ip a
```
<br/>
<AccordionTemplate name="Console output">
The command output should look similar to this one:
```
root@nym-exit:~# ip a
1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
    inet 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 ::1/128 scope host
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
2: eno1: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:14 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f0
3: eno49: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 38:63:bb:2e:9d:20 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp4s0f0
    inet 31.222.238.222/24 brd 31.222.238.255 scope global eno49
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 fe80::3a63:bbff:fe2e:9d20/64 scope link
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
4: eno2: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:15 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f1
5: eno3: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:16 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f2
6: eno50: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 38:63:bb:2e:9d:24 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp4s0f1
7: eno4: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:17 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f3
8: virbr0: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc noqueue state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 52:54:00:ac:d3:ba brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    inet 192.168.122.1/24 brd 192.168.122.255 scope global virbr0
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
```
</AccordionTemplate>


By default, KVM uses the `virbr0` network with `<IPv4_ADDRESS>.1/24`, assigning guest VMs IPs in the `<IPv4_ADDRESS>.0/24` range. The host OS is reachable at `<IPv4_ADDRESS>.1`, allowing SSH and file transfers (`scp`) between the host and guests.

This setup works if you only access VMs from the host. However, remote systems on a different subnet (e.g., `<IPv4_ADDRESS_ALT>.0/24`) **cannot** reach the VMs.

To enable external access, we need a *public bridge* that connects VMs to the host’s main network, using its DHCP. This ensures VMs get IPs in the same range as the host.

Before configuring a public bridge, **disable Netfilter** on bridges for better performance and security, as it is enabled by default.

- Create a file located at `/etc/sysctl.d/bridge.conf`:
```bash
nano /etc/sysctl.d/bridge.conf

# in case of using custom editor, replace nano in the syntax
```

- Paste inside the following block, save and exit:
```ini
net.bridge.bridge-nf-call-ip6tables=0
net.bridge.bridge-nf-call-iptables=0
net.bridge.bridge-nf-call-arptables=0
```

- Create a file `/etc/udev/rules.d/99-bridge.rules`:
```bash
nano /etc/udev/rules.d/99-bridge.rules
```

- Paste this line, save and exit:
```bash
ACTION=="add", SUBSYSTEM=="module", KERNEL=="br_netfilter", RUN+="/sbin/sysctl -p /etc/sysctl.d/bridge.conf"
```

This disables Netfilter on bridges at startup. Save, exit, and reboot to apply changes.

- Disable KVM’s default networking. Find the default network interface with:
```bash
ip link
```

<br/>
<AccordionTemplate name="Console output">
The command output should look similar to this one:
```
root@nym-exit:~# ip link
1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
2: eno1: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:14 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f0
3: eno2: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:15 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f1
4: eno49: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 38:63:bb:2e:9d:20 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp4s0f0
5: eno3: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:16 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f2
6: eno50: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 38:63:bb:2e:9d:24 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp4s0f1
7: eno4: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:17 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f3
8: virbr0: <NO-CARRIER,BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP> mtu 1500 qdisc noqueue state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 52:54:00:ac:d3:ba brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
```

The `virbr0` interface is KVM’s default network. Note your physical interface’s MAC address (e.g., `eno49`). It's the only interface that is currently `UP` and running (`LOWER_UP` state). Other interfaces are `DOWN` and not in use.
</AccordionTemplate>

- Remove the default KVM network:
```bash
virsh net-destroy default
```

- Remove the default network configuration:
```bash
virsh net-undefine default
```

- In case last two commands didn't work, try this:
```bash
ip link delete virbr0 type bridge
```
-  Verify that the `virbr0` and `virbr0-nic` interfaces are deleted:
```bash
ip link
```
<AccordionTemplate name="Console output">
The command output should look similar to this one:
```
root@nym-exit:~# ip link
1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
2: eno1: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:14 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f0
3: eno2: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:15 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f1
4: eno49: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq state UP mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 38:63:bb:2e:9d:20 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp4s0f0
5: eno3: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:16 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f2
6: eno50: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 38:63:bb:2e:9d:24 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp4s0f1
7: eno4: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN mode DEFAULT group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:17 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f3
```
KVM network is gone.
</AccordionTemplate>


##### 3. Setup KVM public bridge for new VMs

To create a KVM network bridge on Ubuntu, edit a config file located in `/etc/netplan/` either called `00-installer.yaml` or `00-installer-config.yaml` and add the bridge details.

- Before you edit the file, make a backup to stay on the save side:
```bash
cp /etc/netplan/00-installer-config.yaml /etc/netplan/00-installer-config.yaml.bak
# or
cp /etc/netplan/00-installer.yaml /etc/netplan/00-installer.yaml.bak
```

- Open `00-installer-config.yaml` or `00-installer.yaml.`config in a text editor:
```bash
nano /etc/netplan/00-installer.yaml
# or
nano /etc/netplan/00-installer-config.yaml
```

- Edit the block below and paste it to the config file, save and exit:
```yaml
#####################################################
######## CHANGE ALL VARIABLES IN <> BRACKETS ########
#####################################################

# <INTERFACE> is your own one, you can get with command ip link show
# <HOSTv4> is your server main IPv4 address
# <HOSTv6> is your server main IPv6 address
# <GATEWAYv4> value can be found by running: ip -4 route | grep default
# <GATEWAYv6> value can be found by running: ip -6 route | grep default

---
network:
  version: 2
  ethernets:
    <INTERFACE>:
      dhcp4: false
      dhcp6: false

  # Bridge interface configuration
  bridges:
    br0:
      interfaces: [<INTERFACE>]
      addresses:
        - <HOSTv4>/24  # IPv4> Address
        - <HOSTv6>/64  # IPv6 Address
      routes:
        - to: default
          via: <GATEWAYv4>  # IPv4 Gateway
        - to: default
          via: <GATEWAYv6>  # IPv6 Gateway
      mtu: 1500
      nameservers:
        addresses:
          - 1.1.1.1  # Cloudflare IPv4 DNS
          - 8.8.8.8  # Google IPv4 DNS
          - 8.8.4.4  # Secondary Google IPv4 DNS
          - 2606:4700:4700::1111  # Cloudflare IPv6 DNS
          - 2001:4860:4860::8888  # Google IPv6 DNS
        search: []
      parameters:
        stp: false  # Disable STP unless multiple bridges exist
        forward-delay: 15  # Can be shortened, 15 sec is a common default
```

<Callout type="warning">
Ensure the indentation matches exactly as shown above. Incorrect spacing will prevent the bridged network interface from activating.
</Callout>

- Validate `netplan` configuration without applying to prevent breaking network changes:
```bash
netplan generate

# Correct configuration output will show nothing
```

- Safety test your changes to catch syntax errors before applying:
```bash
netplan try
```

- Apply your changes:
```bash
netplan --debug  apply
```

- In case of proubems try some of these steps:
<AccordionTemplate name="Netplan configuration troubleshooting">
- Validate YAML configuration, given that YAML is syntax sensitive:
```bash
apt install yamllint -y

yamllint /etc/netplan/00-installer.yaml
# or
yamllint /etc/netplan/00-installer-config.yaml


```
- Apply correct permissions:
```bash
chmod 600 /etc/netplan/00-installer.yaml
chown root:root /etc/netplan/00-installer.yaml
```

- Manually bring up the bridge:
```bash
ip link add name br0 type bridge
ip link set br0 up
ip a show br0
```

- ensure `systemd-networkd` is enabled:
```bash
systemctl restart systemd-networkd
systemctl status systemd-networkd
# if inactive, enable it:
systemctl enable --now systemd-networkd
```
</AccordionTemplate>

- If things went wrong, you can always revert from the backed up file:
```bash
cp /etc/netplan/00-installer-config.yaml.bak /etc/netplan/00-installer-config.yaml
# or
cp /etc/netplan/00-installer.yaml.bak /etc/netplan/00-installer.yaml
# and
netplan apply
```

<Callout type="warning">
Using different IPs for your physical NIC and KVM bridge will disconnect SSH when applying changes. Reconnect using the bridge's new IP. If both share the same IP, no disruption occurs.
</Callout>


- Verify that the IP address has been assigned to the bridge interface:
```bash
ip a
```
<AccordionTemplate name="Console output">
The command output should look similar to this one:
```
root@nym-exit:~# ip a
1: lo: <LOOPBACK,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 65536 qdisc noqueue state UNKNOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/loopback 00:00:00:00:00:00 brd 00:00:00:00:00:00
    inet 127.0.0.1/8 scope host lo
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 ::1/128 scope host
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
2: eno1: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:14 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f0
3: eno2: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:15 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f1
4: eno3: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:16 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f2
5: eno49: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc mq master br0 state UP group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 38:63:bb:2e:9d:20 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp4s0f0
6: eno4: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 14:02:ec:35:2e:17 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp2s0f3
7: eno50: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST> mtu 1500 qdisc noop state DOWN group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 38:63:bb:2e:9d:24 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    altname enp4s0f1
8: br0: <BROADCAST,MULTICAST,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1500 qdisc noqueue state UP group default qlen 1000
    link/ether 46:50:aa:c0:49:a5 brd ff:ff:ff:ff:ff:ff
    inet 31.222.238.222/24 brd 31.222.238.255 scope global br0
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 fe80::4450:aaff:fec0:49a5/64 scope link
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
```
The bridged interface `br0` now has the IP `<HOST>`, and `<INTERFACE>` shows `master br0`, indicating it is part of the bridge.
</AccordionTemplate>

Alternatively you can use `brctl` command to display the KVM bridge network status:
```bash
brctl show br0
```

##### 4. Add Bridge Network to KVM

- Configure KVM to use the bridge by creating `host-bridge.xml`, open a text editor and pate the block below:
```bash
nano host-bridge.xml
```

```xml
<network>
  <name>host-bridge</name>
  <forward mode="bridge"/>
  <bridge name="br0"/>
</network>
```

- Start the new bridge and set it as the default for VMs:
```bash
virsh net-define host-bridge.xml
virsh net-start host-bridge
virsh net-autostart host-bridge
```

- Verify that the KVM bridge is active:
```bash
virsh net-list --all
```
<AccordionTemplate name="Console output">
```bash
root@nym-exit:~# virsh net-list --all
 Name          State    Autostart   Persistent
------------------------------------------------
 host-bridge   active   yes         yes
```
</AccordionTemplate>

KVM bridge networking is successfully set up and active!

Your KVM installation is now ready to deploy and manage VMs.

</Steps>

## Setting Up Virtual Machines

**After finishing the [installation of KVM](#installing-kvm-on-a-server-with-ubuntu-2204), we can move to the virtualisation configuration.**

> **This tutorial will guide you through a setup of one VM, therefore you will have to repeat this process for each VM**.

<Callout>
A good practice before initialising any VMs, is to calculate space and memory allocation for each of them and your host machine.
</Callout>

You can choose in between using [bash scripts](#setting-up-vm-using-scripts) or [manual steps](#setting-up-vm-step-by-step) approach. While scripts may be faster, they give you much less flexibility. Therefore if you prefer to have room for customisation coming along installing software, do it step by step.

Remember, that anytime you execute a script on your computer, make sure to read and understand the script first.

### Seting up VM Using Scripts

<Callout type="info" emoji="ℹ️">
In case you want to initialise and configure your VMs manually - skip this chapter and go directly to the [*step-by-step* part](#setting-up-vm-step-by-step).
</Callout>

Using the scripts is a two-step process. First, initialisation part is done from the host root using [`initialise-vm.sh`](https://github.com/nymtech/nym/blob/develop/scripts/kvm-setup/initialise-vm.sh) and second, configuration part is done from the VM itself using [`configure-vm.sh`](https://github.com/nymtech/nym/blob/develop/scripts/kvm-setup/configure-vm.sh).

<Steps>
##### 1. Initialise VM from the host machine
- Log in to your host as `root`
- Run this block and follow the prompts carefully:
```bash
wget "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nymtech/nym/refs/heads/develop/scripts/kvm-setup/initialise-vm.sh"
chmod +x ./initialise-vm.sh
./initialise-vm.sh
```

##### 2. Configure VM from within
- After logging into your VM run this block and follow the prompts carefully:
```bash
wget "https://raw.githubusercontent.com/nymtech/nym/refs/heads/develop/scripts/kvm-setup/configure-vm.sh"
chmod +x ./configure-vm.sh
./configure-vm.sh
```
</ Steps>


### Setting up VM Step-by-step

In case you did't use the scripts and prefer manual approach, follow the steps below carefully.

<Steps>
##### 1. Install OS for VMs

This is the OS on which the nodes themselves will run. You can chose any GNU/Linux of your preference. For this guide we are going to be using Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Noble Numbat) cloud image from [cloud-images.ubuntu.com](https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/noble/current/).

- Download Ubuntu Cloud image:
```bash
wget https://cloud-images.ubuntu.com/noble/current/noble-server-cloudimg-amd64.img
```
- Copy the image to to `/var/lib/libvirt/images/` asigning to it a name your VM
```bash
cp noble-server-cloudimg-amd64.img /var/lib/libvirt/images/<VM_NAME>.img

# for example:
# cp noble-server-cloudimg-amd64.img /var/lib/libvirt/images/ubuntu-1.img
```

##### 2. Create and resize a virtual machine

- Get `guestfs-tools` to be able to customize your login credentials:
```bash
apt install guestfs-tools
```

- Define login credentials:
```bash
virt-customize -a /var/lib/libvirt/images/<VM_NAME>.img --root-password password:<PASSWORD>
# for example
# virt-customize -a /var/lib/libvirt/images/ubuntu-1.img --root-password password:makesuretosaveyourpasswordslocallytoapasswordmanager
```

- Use `qemu-img` tool with a command `resize` to create a VM according your needs. You can see `qemu` [documentation page`](https://www.qemu.org/docs/master/tools/qemu-img.html) for more info on how to use it correctly.
```bash
qemu-img resize /var/lib/libvirt/images/<VM_NAME>.img +<SIZE_IN_GB>G
# for example
# qemu-img resize /var/lib/libvirt/images/ubuntu-1.img +100G
```

- Resize it from within it after `virt-install` command:
```bash
virt-install \
--name <VM_NAME> \
--ram=<SIZE_IN_MB> \
--vcpus=<NUMBER_OF_VIRTUAL_CPUS> \
--cpu host \
--hvm \
--disk bus=virtio,path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/<VM_NAME>.img \
--network bridge=br0 \
--graphics none \
--console pty,target_type=serial \
--osinfo <YOUR_CHOSEN_OS_NAME> \
--import
```

- In our example we go with 4 GB RAM on the same machine as before:
<br/>
<AccordionTemplate name="Command example">
```bash
virt-install \
--name ubuntu-1 \
--ram=4096 \
--vcpus=4 \
--cpu host \
--hvm \
--disk bus=virtio,path=/var/lib/libvirt/images/ubuntu-1.img \
--network bridge=br0 \
--graphics none \
--console pty,target_type=serial \
--osinfo ubuntunoble \
--import
```
</AccordionTemplate>

- After loading you should see a login console, you can also initiate it by:
```bash
virsh console <VM_NAME>
# for example
# virsh console ubuntu-1
```

- Log in to your new VM using your credentials.

##### 3. Validate your setup

- Make sure the `root` disk has the expected space by running:
```bash
df -h
```

- If not, run:
```bash
growpart /dev/vda 1
resize2fs /dev/vda1
```

##### 4. Configure networking for the VM

As this guide is based on a newer Ubuntu, we use `netplan`, this may be different on different OS.

- Open `/etc/netplan/01-network-config.yaml` in your favourite text editor:
```bash
nano /etc/netplan/01-network-config.yaml
```

- Insert this config, using your correct IP configuration, save and exit:
```yaml
#####################################################
######## CHANGE ALL VARIABLES IN <> BRACKETS ########
#####################################################

# <INTERFACE> is your own one, you can get with command ip link show
# <VM_IPv4> is your VM IPv4 address
# <VM_IPv6> is your VM Pv6 address
# <GATEWAYv4> value can be found by running: ip -4 route | grep default
# <GATEWAYv6> value can be found by running: ip -6 route | grep default

network:
  version: 2
  renderer: networkd
  ethernets:
    <INTERFACE>:
      dhcp4: false
      dhcp6: false  # Set to true if you want automatic IPv6 assignment
      addresses:
        - <VM_IPv4>/24  # Assign IPv4 address to the VM
        - <VM_IPv6>/64  # Assign IPv6 address to the VM
      routes:
        - to: default
          via: <GATEWAYv4>  # IPv4 gateway
        - to: default
          via: <GATEWAYv6>  # IPv6 gateway
      nameservers:
        addresses:
          - 1.1.1.1  # Cloudflare IPv4 DNS
          - 8.8.8.8  # Google IPv4 DNS
          - 8.8.4.4  # Secondary Google IPv4 DNS
          - 2606:4700:4700::1111  # Cloudflare IPv6 DNS
          - 2001:4860:4860::8888  # Google IPv6 DNS
```
- Fix wide permissions on the config file:
```bash
chmod 600 /etc/netplan/01-network-config.yaml
```

- Check if the config has any errors:
```bash
netplan generate
```

- Apply the configuration:
```bash
netplan --debug  apply
```

- Verify by checking if IPv4 and IPv6 are assigned correctly and if they route:
```bash
ip -4 a
ip -6 a
```
```bash
ip -4 r
ip -6 r
```
```bash
# to ping through IPv6, use:
ping6 nym.com
```
- You should be able to ping your new VM from a local machine:
```bash
ping <IPv4_VM>
ping6 <IPv6_VM>
```

</Steps>

Your VM should be working and fully routable. To be able to use it properly, we will create a direct SSH access to the VM.

#### Configure VM SSH access

<Steps>

##### 1. Log in to your VM, update and upgrade your OS:
- Log in to your server using as `root` or as a non-root user with `sudo` privileges
```bash
apt update; apt upgrade
```

##### 2. Generate new host SSH keys

Since we used a `cloud-init` image without an SSH server, we need to generate SSH host keys for client authentication and server identity verification. All of them will be saved to this location: `/etc/ssh/<KEY>`.

- Generate a new RSA host key:
```bash
ssh-keygen -t rsa -f /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key
```
- Generate a new DSA host key:
```bash
ssh-keygen -t dsa -f /etc/ssh/ssh_host_dsa_key
```
- Generate a new ECDSA host key:
```bash
ssh-keygen -t ecdsa -f /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ecdsa_key
```
- Finally, generate a new ED25519 host key:
```bash
ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -f /etc/ssh/ssh_host_ed25519_key
```
##### 3. Restart the SSH service on the server
- Run:
```bash
systemctl restart ssh.service
```

##### 4. Check if the SSH serice is active
- Run:
```bash
systemctl status ssh.service
```

##### 5. Create file `~/.ssh/authorized_keys` and add you public key:
- Create `.ssh` directory:
```bash
mkdir ~/.ssh
```

- Open with your favourite text editor:
```bash
nano ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
```
- Paste your SSH public key, save and exit

- In case of non-root, setup a correct ownership and permissions:
```bash
chmod 600 ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
chmod 700 ~/.ssh
chown : ~/.ssh
```

##### 5. Test by connecting via SSH

- Now you should be able to connect to the VM directly from your local terminal
```bash
ssh root@<IPv4> -i ~/.ssh/your_ssh_key
```
</Steps>

Now your VM is almost ready for `nym-node` [setup](../../nym-node/setup). Before you proceed, ssh in and [configure all prerequisities](../vps-setup#vps-configuration) needed for `nym-node` installation and operation.

## Removing Virtual Machines

If you setup your VM in a wrong way, or you simply don't use it anymore, you can remove it.

<Callout type="warning" emoji="⚠️">
**These commands will erase everything on the VM, make sure to backup everything you may need in the future bewfore executing this!**
</Callout>

<Steps>
###### 1. SSH to the host server

###### 2. List all VMs
```sh
virsh list --all
```

###### 3. Shut down and remove VM
- To remove a VM run this sequence
```sh
# shutdown
virsh shutdown <VM_NAME>
sleep 10

# destroy
virsh destroy <VM_NAME>

# undefine and purge storage
virsh undefine <VM_NAME> --remove-all-storage

# ensure the storage is deleted
rm /var/lib/libvirt/images/<VM_NAME>.img 
```

###### 4. List all VMs again

- The list should not contain the VM that you just deleted:
```sh
virsh list --all
```
</ Steps>