NODE_SEED value as seed or public key?

chainhead

The documentation on the setting NODE_SEED is not clear.

First, it says, this is the identity of this node in SCP. Then, it cautions to treat it as a password. Why would I use something as secure as a password for an identity? Finally, there is an example of setting NODE_SEED with a value (that seems to be) of public key and common name. So, seed (apparently super secret) assigned to public key. Is that right?

Why not simply call it NODE_IDENTIFIER?

BTW, this setting cannot be left to default value if this is a validating node, right? Otherwise, how would a quorum set (in some other node) address this node if the value were to regenerate in every run?

bkolobara

Hi chainhead

I think that NODE_SEED is the secret (private) key that is used to sign SCP messages and proves that your node is actually yours. It's not an ID that other nodes use to address your. Because of this you need to keep it secret.

You can also give at the end of the secret key a name to it, like this:
NODE_SEED="SXXXXXX....XXXX galactictalk.org"

Now the string galactictalk.org is like an ID for your validator.

Btw. secret keys usually start with a S. So you can tell it's not a public one.

jed

Yes the SEED generates the public key you are known by during SCP and is used for signing the SCP messages. I tried to make the docs more clear.

chainhead

Yes the SEED generates the public key you are known by during SCP

So, why should it auto-generate as the default - especially, if this node is supposed to be a validator whose vote matters in most quora?

I tried to make the docs more clear.
?

jed

You shouldn't leave it blank if you are a validator.