Instructions for activating blockchain places

Dear Partners!

Our technical team has completed all updates related to blockchain places – now everything is in place for you to start earning from transactions in our network. Only one step left - you need to activate your blockchain places. In this guide, we will explain exactly what you must do to achieve this, with step-by-step instructions for all the necessary actions. 

If you’re using a computer with the Windows operating system, you must download and install the PuTTY program before starting – it will be used to finalize your node setup. MacOS users can take advantage of the built-in terminal.

PuTTY is available for free on the developer’s official website. To download it, follow the link and download the appropriate version of the application for the bit set of your operating system.

After a successful installation, a new shortcut named PuTTY will appear in the start menu.

How to set up PuTTY

Setting up the program is really straightforward. Let's open the program and see what's in it. After launching, you will see the application configuration window, with various categories on the left and their settings on the right. 

The program features 4 main sections:

• Session is the main tab for connecting to a remote computer. Here, you can enter the connection parameters, port, address, and also the so-called presets that you can use so you don’t have to enter the login information every time. You can input  the session settings once, save them, and use them the next time you start the program.
• Terminal - required to enable or disable terminal capabilities.
• Window - this is where you configure all interface settings: window appearance, color, font and encoding.
• Connection - this is where you configure connection parameters, encryption algorithm, compression, authentication keys and other values.

We only need two tabs: Session and SSH. First of all, let's move on to the second and make sure that the protocol version is set to "2". As a rule, SSH-2 is most commonly used today, since the first version is rarely used due to significant shortcomings, for example, errors in the security scheme.

Let's go back to the Session section, which contains the main parameters that we need to connect to the server via SSH. Let's stop and take a closer look at each one:

1. The first block includes the basic parameters required for connection: a window for entering an IP address and port, a line with a choice of the type of connection.

2. The next block is for creating presets that can be used to quickly connect to a remote computer. The name of the session is entered into the Saved Sessions line, and then it can be saved using the Save button. To use a saved preset, simply load it using the Load button.

3. The last block includes the parameters for closing the window on exit. Available values: Always, Never, Only on clean exit.As you can see, setting up PuTTY is extremely easy.

Buying a dedicated server

Registration on Digital Ocean

Now, you need to purchase a dedicated server. Dozens of websites offer this option. As our example, we will use the popular DigitalOcean service.

First, you need to register on this website. You can do this by following the link https://www.digitalocean.com/

In the upper right corner of the main page, click on Sign Up.

You will be prompted to go through a simple security check. After passing the check, select the authorization method. We will show it using the example of registration via email (top line).

After choosing registration via email, a window will appear, prompting you to input your information.

After that, you will receive a confirmation email:

The email will include a link, which you must click on to confirm your account. Click on this link.

After clicking the link, you will be prompted to select a payment method:

We will select the second method - with a card. After selecting this option, we will see a new window, where you must input your card information:

After linking your card to your account, you can purchase a dedicated server. 

Buying a dedicated server

Let’s move on to the first step - buying a server. In the left menu of DigitalOcean, select  Marketplace. This will open the service’s internal store.

On the very first line, you will see a Docker block with a Create Droplet button. Click on this button. By choosing this item, we immediately get a server where the software we need will be installed. Therefore, we will install the node using DOCKER IMAGE.

The settings window will open. In the first row, select the very first option - Ubuntu.

Now let's choose a plan - for our purposes, the Basic plan will be sufficient. Below you will see a list of price tiers. Pick the very first one for $6 a month. This power will be sufficient.

In the Choose a datacenter region section, select the server country. You can choose the region yourself. In our example, we will select Amsterdam.

Now, in the Select Additional Options block, check the IPv6 checkbox. It is not necessary, but it is a helpful addition.

Now you need to set a password. You can create your own password or select the one suggested by the service.

So we have reached the final stage. Let’s create a name for our virtual machine. You can use any name you like.

To finish creating your virtual machine, please click on Create Droplet at the bottom of the page.

You will see a new window with your project, where you will find your recently created server in the list of servers. Wait a few minutes until your server is created. 

Establishing a connection to the server

Now, click on the new button that appeared in the line with your server - Get Started.

You will see a new page with instructions:

In the middle of the instructions, you will see the command text, which must be copied to the clipboard by clicking on the copy icon (two squares). Copy this text.

Now open the PuTTY program on your computer. In the Host Name column, paste the copied text. Remove all text from the string, leaving only numbers. Then click on the Open button.

You’ll see a window with a warning - click on Yes.

The terminal window will open. Enter the word root and click on Enter.

Now enter the password you selected when creating your server on DigitalOcean and click on Enter.

Now insert the following command into the terminal window:

Node synchronization

After clicking on Enter, the process of installing the node on your server will begin.

After this process is completed, visit your server page on DigitalOcean. In the upper left corner of the screen you will see the ipv4 address, and to the right of the address - the "Copy" button. Click on it - you will need the address for further configuration. After clicking, your IP address will be saved in the clipboard.

Now go to your PLATINCOIN account. Go to the Block Places section. In the center of the screen, at the top, you will see the Node Status widget. There is an Install button at the bottom of the widget. Click on it.

A window titled Enter Your IP Address will open. Right-click and select "Paste" - the address copied to the clipboard will be pasted into the line.

Now click on the Sync button to synchronize the virtual server.

Done! Synchronization is complete. Now your places will start generating profits for you.