nym/documentation/operators/src/nodes/nym-node.md

Nym Node

If you are a `nym-mixnode` or `nym-gateway` operator and you are not familiar with the binary changes called *Project Smoosh*, you can read the archived [Smoosh FAQ](../archive/faq/smoosh-faq.md) page.

NYM NODE is a tool for running a node within the Nym network. Nym Nodes containing functionality such as mixnode, entry-gateway and exit-gateway are fundamental components of Nym Mixnet architecture. Nym Nodes are ran by decentralised node operators.

To setup any type of Nym Node, start with either building Nym's platform from source or download pre-compiled binaries on the configured server (VPS) where you want to run the node. Nym Node will need to be bond to Nym's wallet. Follow preliminary steps page before you initialise and run a node.

**Migrating an existing node to a new `nym-node` is simple. The steps are documented on the [next page](setup.md#migrate)**

Steps for Nym Node Operators

Once VPS and Nym wallet are configured, binaries ready, the operators of nym-node need to:

1. Setup & Run the node

2. Configure the node (and optionally WSS, reversed proxy, automation)

3. Bond the node to the Nym API, using Nym wallet

Quick nym-node --mode exit-gateway Setup

During the testing events series Fast and Furious we found out, that after introducing IP Packet Router and Nym exit policy as default features, only a fragment of Exit Gateways routes correctly through IPv4 and IPv6. We built a useful monitor to check out your Gateway (nym-node --mode exit-gateway) at harbourmaster.nymtech.net.

Below is a fast - ten command - deployment for seasoned operators to migrate and setup the node, configure networking and connectivity and verify that it all works as it should by getting two free jokes through the Mixnet.

If you are not well familiar with `nym-node` setup, automation, and `nymtun0` configuration, follow the [steps above](#steps-for-nym-node-operators) page by page. You can use this flow as a reference later on.

1. Get or build the latest nym-node binary

2. Get network_tunnel_manager.sh script and grant permissions

curl -o network_tunnel_manager.sh -L https://gist.githubusercontent.com/tommyv1987/ccf6ca00ffb3d7e13192edda61bb2a77/raw/9d785d6ee3aa2970553633eccbd89a827f49fab5/network_tunnel_manager.sh && chmod +x network_tunnel_manager.sh

3. In case you had anym-gateway running, stop the process (directly or systemd service), and migrate to nym-node now!

4. Apply the rules:

sudo ./network_tunnel_manager.sh apply_iptables_rules

5. Check Nymtun IP tables:

sudo ./network_tunnel_manager.sh check_nymtun_iptables

6. Display IPv6:

sudo ./network_tunnel_manager.sh fetch_and_display_ipv6

• You should see a global ipv6 address:

```sh
iptables-persistent is already installed.
Using IPv6 address: 2001:db8:a160::1/112 #the address will be different for you
operation fetch_ipv6_address_nym_tun completed successfully.
```

7. (If you didn't have a nym-node service yet) Create systemd automation and configuration file, reload and enable the service

8. Start nym-node service:

sudo service nym-node start && journalctl -u nym-node -f -n 100

9. Upgrade your node version in the smart contract, using Nym wallet

• If you don't run this as an upgrade but started a fresh new node, you need to bond the gateway now. After that finish the verification steps below.

10. After a minute of running properly, validate your nymtun0 routing:

• Display the address

ip addr show nymtun0

```sh
# your addresses will be different
8: nymtun0: <POINTOPOINT,MULTICAST,NOARP,UP,LOWER_UP> mtu 1420 qdisc fq_codel state UNKNOWN group default qlen 500
    link/none
    inet 10.0.0.1/16 scope global nymtun0
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 2001:db8:a160::1/112 scope global
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever
    inet6 fe80::ad08:d167:5700:8c7c/64 scope link stable-privacy
       valid_lft forever preferred_lft forever`
```

• Run a joke through the Mixnet - you should get two jokes (IPv4 and IPv6 routing):

sudo ./network_tunnel_manager.sh joke_through_the_mixnet