"In truth we arise with a hidden gift"
Note
VKAX is forked from DASH and BITCOIN, utilizing a CPU mining algorithm based on GHOSTRIDER called MIKE
VKAX is an experimental, community owned cryptocurrency which mirrors parts of the open source Bitcoin and Dash code base. This means VKAX gains the power of the UTXO blockchain model as well as the benefits of masternodes – which allow qualified holders to earn a share of the block reward. The Mike mining algorithm is based on the asic-proof Ghostrider which ensures that the VKAX network has one CPU, one vote. Through upgrades and hardforks, the community can guarantee that VKAX remains ASIC resistant. Anyone is free to participate and interact with the VKAX network – you are encouraged to start by running a wallet!
(tested for ubuntu)
Install dependencies
sudo apt-get install curl build-essential libtool autotools-dev automake pkg-config python3 bsdmainutils bison build-essential libtool autotools-dev automake pkg-config libssl-dev libevent-dev bsdmainutils libboost-system-dev libboost-filesystem-dev libboost-chrono-dev libboost-program-options-dev libboost-test-dev libboost-thread-dev g++-aarch64-linux-gnu g++-mingw-w64-x86-64 mingw-w64-x86-64-dev gperf zip git curl libevent-dev
Build from source
git clone https://github.com/vkaxcore/VKAX &&
cd VKAX/depends/ &&
chmod +x conf* &&
make &&
cd .. &&
./autogen.sh &&
./configure --prefix=$PWD/depends/x86_64-pc-linux-gnu/ &&
make
(will take a few minutes)
Tip
Learning how to use the VKAX Test Net will prepare you to do things like mine solo or run a masternode on the Main Net
Ubuntu is an open source system which is easy to use, but still powerful and stable. This means that an entire operating system can function with as little as 1 cpu core and less than 1 gig of ram! To participate in the VKAX Test Net you will need an operational Ubuntu system - either locally or with a cloud service. It is possible for anyone to run a Ubuntu system without difficulty or cost.
Some local examples include, a Raspberry Pi, old hardware like a Laptop with Broken Screen, a Discarded PC - or even from within your main PC using Virtualbox or Vmware Workstation
If you do not have any hardware resources available or you want to run multiple nodes, there is a list of services which offer free trials or an always free option
Because Ubuntu is open source and relies on decentralization, we should realize it shares an overlap with many of the ideals we believe in crypto currencies! Understanding free and open source systems like Ubuntu will benefit anyone interested in mastering their experience! Relying on central services and paying for things which should be free is not beneficial to decentralization or genuine network growth.
If you don't have a few minutes to learn something new, then you probably do not have time to invest in or mine crypto currencies without encoutering significant risk! Windows users are most often targeted for scams and hacks, so the value of learning linux can't be measured immediately. Remember, there is no such thing as a free lunch, or getting rich quick. If you want it, you must get it!
Warning
Failure to follow instructions may result in an incorrect build! The order is important, please ensure you review each step
Before proceeding to do anything, we must first install the relevant dependencies. Copy and Paste the following code into a terminal console on Ubuntu (Press the button on the right of the code block, or press CTRL + C to copy and then CTRL + V to paste)
sudo apt update -y && sudo apt upgrade -y &&
sudo apt-get install curl build-essential libtool autotools-dev automake pkg-config python3 bsdmainutils screen hwloc bison nohang htop
Creating a swap file will use some of the storage space but provide the system additional memory handling functions, making crashes on low end systems less likely.
sudo fallocate -l 2G /swapfile &&
sudo mkswap /swapfile &&
sudo chmod 0600 /swapfile &&
sudo swapon /swapfile &&
sudo swapon -s &&
echo '/swapfile none swap sw 0 0' | sudo tee -a /etc/fstab
Run the below commands in a terminal console one at a time. We will need to create a new User to run the daemon. (You can give it any password or press enter to skip.)
sudo adduser vkax-test
Login to become the VKAX user
sudo su vkax-test
After installing the prerequisites and becoming the vkax-test user, we can build the daemon from source
cd &&
git clone https://github.com/vkaxcore/VKAX &&
cd VKAX/depends/ &&
chmod +x conf* &&
make NO_QT=1 &&
cd .. &&
./autogen.sh &&
./configure --disable-tests --disable-bench --without-gui --prefix=$PWD/depends/x86_64-pc-linux-gnu/ &&
make
Note
The build will take a long time. Please do not close the system while the script is working
When it is complete it should look like this
This will Write default settings for your VKAX testnet node.
mkdir /home/vkax-test/.vkaxcore/
touch /home/vkax-test/.vkaxcore/vkax.conf &&
echo -e "rpcuser=vkaxtestnet\nrpcpassword=changemepassword123\nmaxconnections=256\nrpcallowip=127.0.0.1\ntestnet=1\nlisten=1\nserver=1\ndaemon=1\nusehd=1\n" >> /home/vkax-test/.vkaxcore/vkax.conf
Exit as the vkax-test user
exit
Caution
If you forget to log out of the vkax-test user, the below commands will not work properly
Using systemd we can create a service which starts the VKAX daemon on boot, and restarts it after a crash
Become a Super User first
sudo su
Clean up the build files
mv /home/vkax-test/VKAX/src/vkax-cli /home/vkax-test/VKAX/src/vkaxd /home/vkax-test/.vkaxcore/ &&
chmod 777 /home/vkax-test/.vkaxcore &&
rm -R /home/vkax-test/VKAX/
Open the Ports and Enable Firewall
sudo apt update -y && sudo apt upgrade -y &&
sudo apt install ufw &&
sudo ufw default deny incoming &&
sudo ufw default allow outgoing &&
sudo ufw allow ssh &&
sudo ufw allow 11110/tcp &&
sudo ufw allow 22220/tcp &&
sudo ufw enable
Create and Enable the systemd service
touch /etc/systemd/system/vkax-test.service
echo -e "[Unit]\nDescription=vkax test daemon control service\n\n[Service]\nType=forking\nRestart=on-failure\nRestartSec=5s\nExecStartPre=/bin/sleep 5\nWorkingDirectory=/home/vkax-test/.vkaxcore/\nExecStart=/home/vkax-test/.vkaxcore/vkaxd\nRemainAfterExit=yes\nUser=vkax-test\n\n[Install]\nWantedBy=multi-user.target" >> /etc/systemd/system/vkax-test.service
systemctl enable vkax-test
Reboot for changes to take effect
reboot
We can Watch the Status of our daemon at any time with the following command
watch systemctl status vkax-test
Login as vkax-test user
sudo su vkax-test
Important
Always remember to login as vkax-test before running commands, and to log out with exit or close the terminal when complete. The daemon will continue to run in the background.
To ensure you have a connection with the network you can write
~/.vkaxcore/vkax-cli -testnet getconnectioncount
Run the Help command as the vkax-test user to get a full list of available commands! )You must include -testnet when using the testnet)
~/.vkaxcore/vkax-cli -testnet help
Getting a seed phrase is essential for anyone who wants security, confidence or is considering doing serious development work on the VKAX network. All you have to do is write down your seed words and remember to use them.
Display your seed phrase with the below command
~/.vkaxcore/vkax-cli -testnet dumphdinfo
Caution
WRITE THIS DOWN!
Do not store your confidential seed phrase on a computer or on a phone! Do not share this phrase with anyone, or leave it out for people to find! There is no support ticket or central body which can recover your coins, so you should never share these words with anyone! Ever! For any reason! You can use this same seed phrase forever with VKAX, even on the main net! You can save yourself a lot of time by writing this down now. Hackers cannot access a sheet of paper in your sock drawer!
To check the status of the testnet daemon's debug log
watch tail ~/.vkaxcore/testnet3/debug.log -n25
To start mining for blocks
~/.vkaxcore/vkax-cli -testnet setgenerate true
The only indication that mining has started is this output which shows us how many cores are running.
You can also check cpu usage after mining using the htop command
htop
htop will look liks this. (press CTRL + C to exit)
After finding a block you will get sent coins. Use this command to see the last 10 transations
~/.vkaxcore/vkax-cli -testnet listtransactions
To see the current block count
~/.vkaxcore/vkax-cli -testnet getblockcount
To check your coin balance (will only display mature blocks after 200 confirmations)
~/.vkaxcore/vkax-cli -testnet getbalance
To Stop Mining
~/.vkaxcore/vkax-cli -testnet setgenerate false 0
VKAX Legacy Command Line Reference
VKAX Remote Procedure Calls (RPC)
Congrats! You are now running a node on the VKAX Test Net
After accumulating 10 000 000 coins you will be eligable to create a masternode
Once you are become familiar with the Test Net envoirnment, you should be ready to confidently use the VKAX Main Net. Good luck!