# Validator bandwidth test ## Overview | Check | Purpose | | ---------------- | ------------------------------------------- | | Download Speed | Measures max download capacity (Mbps) | | Upload Speed | Measures max upload capacity (Mbps) | | Interface Stats | Shows current throughput on network adapter | | RPC Connectivity | Tests latency to `rpc.mainnet.x1.xyz` | | Recommendations | Analyzes if bandwidth meets validator needs | *** ## Requirements ### Official X1 Specifications | Metric | Minimum | Recommended | Notes | | ------------ | ------------------- | ------------------- | -------------------------- | | **Speed** | 1 Gbps symmetric | 10 Gbps symmetric | Upload must equal download | | **Type** | Committed/sustained | Committed/sustained | NOT burst capacity | | **Data Cap** | Unmetered | Unmetered | No monthly limits | | **Latency** | <20ms | <5ms | To RPC endpoints | ### Real-World X1 Validator Usage Based on production validators (Nov 2025): * **Average usage**: 150-200 Mbps sustained * **Peak usage**: 300-700 Mbps during high activity * **Growth rate**: Doubling every 1-2 months * **Network trend**: Approaching 1 Gbps per validator **Bottom line**: 1 Gbps minimum today, plan for 10 Gbps within 6-12 months. *** ## ⚠️ CRITICAL: Committed vs Burst Bandwidth ### Common ISP Gotcha **Your ISP might advertise "1 Gbps Unmetered" but actually provide:** ``` Port Speed: 1 Gbps (can burst to this temporarily) Committed Rate: 200-500 Mbps (what you can sustain 24/7) Billing: 95th percentile on committed rate ``` ### How to Check 1. **Run this bandwidth test** — Shows maximum capacity 2. **Check your hosting provider's graphs** — Shows actual usage vs thresholds **Example**: InterServer "1 Gbps Unmetered" was actually 200 Mbps committed with red thresholds at \~180-200 Mbps. ### Questions to Ask Your ISP * "What is my **committed information rate (CIR)**?" * "Is this **sustained** bandwidth or burst?" * "What happens if my 95th percentile exceeds X Mbps?" * "Can I sustain 500-1000 Mbps continuously?" *** ## Usage 1. Install dependencies: ```bash sudo apt update sudo apt install -y speedtest-cli bc curl ethtool ``` 2. Copy the full script below into a file named `x1_bandwidth.sh`: ```bash nano x1_bandwidth.sh ``` 3. Make it executable: ```bash chmod +x x1_bandwidth.sh ``` 4. Run: ```bash ./x1_bandwidth.sh ``` *** ## Full Script ```bash #!/bin/bash # === X1 Validator Bandwidth Test === # Tests download/upload speed, interface throughput, and RPC connectivity # Author: X1 Labs / Xen Tzu set -euo pipefail echo "==============================================" echo "🌐 X1 Validator Bandwidth Test" echo "==============================================" echo "" # --- Check for speedtest-cli --- if ! command -v speedtest-cli &> /dev/null; then echo "⚠️ speedtest-cli not found. Installing..." sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y speedtest-cli echo "" fi # --- Detect primary network interface --- echo "🔹 Network Interface" IFACE=$(ip route | grep default | awk '{print $5}' | head -1) if [ -z "$IFACE" ]; then echo "⚠️ Could not detect network interface" IFACE="eth0" fi echo " Interface: $IFACE" # Get interface speed capability LINK_SPEED=$(ethtool "$IFACE" 2>/dev/null | grep "Speed:" | awk '{print $2}' || echo "Unknown") echo " Link Speed: $LINK_SPEED" echo "" # --- Current Interface Throughput (5s sample) --- echo "🔹 Current Throughput (5-second sample)" echo " Measuring live traffic on $IFACE..." # Get initial bytes RX1=$(cat /sys/class/net/"$IFACE"/statistics/rx_bytes) TX1=$(cat /sys/class/net/"$IFACE"/statistics/tx_bytes) sleep 5 # Get final bytes RX2=$(cat /sys/class/net/"$IFACE"/statistics/rx_bytes) TX2=$(cat /sys/class/net/"$IFACE"/statistics/tx_bytes) # Calculate Mbps RX_MBPS=$(awk "BEGIN {printf \"%.2f\", ($RX2 - $RX1) * 8 / 5 / 1000000}") TX_MBPS=$(awk "BEGIN {printf \"%.2f\", ($TX2 - $TX1) * 8 / 5 / 1000000}") echo " Current Download: ${RX_MBPS} Mbps" echo " Current Upload: ${TX_MBPS} Mbps" echo "" # --- Speedtest (Maximum Capacity) --- echo "🔹 Speedtest (Maximum Capacity)" echo " Testing connection speed (this takes ~30 seconds)..." SPEEDTEST_OUTPUT=$(speedtest-cli --simple 2>&1) PING=$(echo "$SPEEDTEST_OUTPUT" | grep "Ping:" | awk '{print $2}') DOWNLOAD=$(echo "$SPEEDTEST_OUTPUT" | grep "Download:" | awk '{print $2}') UPLOAD=$(echo "$SPEEDTEST_OUTPUT" | grep "Upload:" | awk '{print $2}') echo " Ping: ${PING} ms" echo " Download: ${DOWNLOAD} Mbps" echo " Upload: ${UPLOAD} Mbps" echo "" # --- RPC Connectivity --- echo "🔹 RPC Connectivity" echo " Testing connection to rpc.mainnet.x1.xyz..." RPC_START=$(date +%s%N) RPC_STATUS=$(curl -s -o /dev/null -w "%{http_code}" --max-time 5 https://rpc.mainnet.x1.xyz || echo "000") RPC_END=$(date +%s%N) RPC_LATENCY=$(awk "BEGIN {printf \"%.3f\", ($RPC_END - $RPC_START) / 1000000}") if [ "$RPC_STATUS" = "200" ] || [ "$RPC_STATUS" = "405" ]; then echo " RPC Latency: ${RPC_LATENCY} ms" echo " RPC Status: ✅ Connected" RPC_OK=true else echo " RPC Status: ❌ Failed (HTTP $RPC_STATUS)" RPC_OK=false fi echo "" # --- Analysis --- echo "==============================================" echo "📊 BANDWIDTH ANALYSIS" echo "==============================================" # Convert speeds to numbers for comparison DL_NUM=$(echo "$DOWNLOAD" | cut -d. -f1) UP_NUM=$(echo "$UPLOAD" | cut -d. -f1) RPC_LAT_NUM=$(echo "$RPC_LATENCY" | cut -d. -f1) # Analyze download if [ "$DL_NUM" -ge 1000 ]; then DL_STATUS="✅ Excellent (1Gbps+)" elif [ "$DL_NUM" -ge 500 ]; then DL_STATUS="⚠️ Acceptable (500Mbps+)" else DL_STATUS="❌ Insufficient (<500Mbps)" fi # Analyze upload if [ "$UP_NUM" -ge 1000 ]; then UP_STATUS="✅ Excellent (1Gbps+)" elif [ "$UP_NUM" -ge 500 ]; then UP_STATUS="⚠️ Acceptable (500Mbps+)" else UP_STATUS="❌ Insufficient (<500Mbps)" fi # Analyze RPC latency if [ "$RPC_LAT_NUM" -lt 20 ]; then LAT_STATUS="✅ Excellent (<20ms)" elif [ "$RPC_LAT_NUM" -lt 50 ]; then LAT_STATUS="⚠️ Acceptable (<50ms)" else LAT_STATUS="❌ High (>50ms)" fi echo "Download Capacity: $DL_STATUS" echo "Upload Capacity: $UP_STATUS" echo "RPC Latency: $LAT_STATUS" if $RPC_OK; then echo "RPC Connection: ✅ OK" else echo "RPC Connection: ❌ Failed" fi echo "" # --- Recommendations --- echo "==============================================" echo "📋 RECOMMENDATIONS" echo "==============================================" # Check if symmetric SYMMETRIC=false DIFF=$((DL_NUM - UP_NUM)) if [ ${DIFF#-} -lt 100 ]; then SYMMETRIC=true fi if [ "$DL_NUM" -ge 1000 ] && [ "$UP_NUM" -ge 1000 ]; then echo "✅ Your bandwidth meets Solana/X1 minimum requirements." echo "" echo " Current capacity: ${DOWNLOAD}/${UPLOAD} Mbps" echo " Minimum required: 1000/1000 Mbps (symmetric)" echo "" if [ "$DL_NUM" -lt 10000 ]; then echo "💡 Consider upgrading to 10 Gbps for future growth." echo " X1 network usage is increasing and may approach" echo " 1 Gbps per validator within 6-12 months." fi elif [ "$DL_NUM" -ge 500 ] && [ "$UP_NUM" -ge 500 ]; then echo "⚠️ Your bandwidth is below recommended levels." echo "" echo " Current capacity: ${DOWNLOAD}/${UPLOAD} Mbps" echo " Minimum required: 1000/1000 Mbps (symmetric)" echo "" echo "📌 UPGRADE RECOMMENDED:" echo " • Contact your ISP for 1 Gbps symmetric upgrade" echo " • Ask specifically for COMMITTED rate, not burst" echo " • Verify it's truly symmetric (upload = download)" else echo "❌ Your bandwidth is insufficient for validator operations." echo "" echo " Current capacity: ${DOWNLOAD}/${UPLOAD} Mbps" echo " Minimum required: 1000/1000 Mbps (symmetric)" echo "" echo "🚨 URGENT UPGRADE NEEDED:" echo " • Current bandwidth may cause missed votes" echo " • Upgrade to at least 1 Gbps symmetric immediately" echo " • Consider 10 Gbps for optimal performance" fi # Check symmetry - only warn if upload is below 1 Gbps if ! $SYMMETRIC && [ "$UP_NUM" -lt 1000 ]; then echo "" echo "⚠️ ASYMMETRIC CONNECTION DETECTED" echo " Download: ${DOWNLOAD} Mbps" echo " Upload: ${UPLOAD} Mbps" echo "" echo " Validators require SYMMETRIC bandwidth (equal up/down)." echo " Contact your ISP for symmetric fiber connection." fi # Current usage vs capacity echo "" echo "==============================================" echo "📈 USAGE vs CAPACITY" echo "==============================================" echo "Current Usage: ${RX_MBPS} Mbps down / ${TX_MBPS} Mbps up" echo "Max Capacity: ${DOWNLOAD} Mbps down / ${UPLOAD} Mbps up" USAGE_PERCENT=$(awk "BEGIN {printf \"%.1f\", ($RX_MBPS / $DOWNLOAD) * 100}") echo "Utilization: ${USAGE_PERCENT}%" echo "" if (( $(echo "$USAGE_PERCENT > 70" | bc -l) )); then echo "⚠️ HIGH UTILIZATION (>70%)" echo " You're using most of your available bandwidth." echo " Consider upgrading before you hit capacity limits." elif (( $(echo "$USAGE_PERCENT > 50" | bc -l) )); then echo "💡 MODERATE UTILIZATION (50-70%)" echo " Monitor your usage trends. Plan upgrade if growing." else echo "✅ GOOD HEADROOM (<50%)" echo " Plenty of capacity available for growth." fi # Final critical check echo "" echo "==============================================" echo "⚠️ CRITICAL: Verify With Your Provider" echo "==============================================" echo "" echo "This test shows your PORT SPEED (burst capacity)." echo "Your ISP may have a lower COMMITTED RATE." echo "" echo "🔍 Next Steps:" echo " 1. Check your hosting provider's bandwidth graphs" echo " 2. Look for 'red threshold lines' around 200-500 Mbps" echo " 3. Ask your ISP: 'What is my committed information rate?'" echo " 4. Verify sustained usage vs provider thresholds" echo "" echo "Example: '1 Gbps Unmetered' might mean:" echo " • Port: 1000 Mbps (burst)" echo " • Committed: 200 Mbps (sustained)" echo " • Billing: 95th percentile" echo "" echo "==============================================" echo "Test Complete" echo "==============================================" ``` *** ## Example Output ``` ============================================== 🌐 X1 Validator Bandwidth Test ============================================== 🔹 Network Interface Interface: enp4s0 Link Speed: 1000Mb/s 🔹 Current Throughput (5-second sample) Current Download: 189.45 Mbps Current Upload: 142.67 Mbps 🔹 Speedtest (Maximum Capacity) Ping: 2.26 ms Download: 814.00 Mbps Upload: 766.28 Mbps 🔹 RPC Connectivity RPC Latency: 12.345 ms RPC Status: ✅ Connected ============================================== 📊 BANDWIDTH ANALYSIS ============================================== Download Capacity: ⚠️ Acceptable (500Mbps+) Upload Capacity: ⚠️ Acceptable (500Mbps+) RPC Latency: ✅ Excellent (<20ms) RPC Connection: ✅ OK ============================================== 📋 RECOMMENDATIONS ============================================== ⚠️ Your bandwidth is below recommended levels. Current capacity: 814.00/766.28 Mbps Minimum required: 1000/1000 Mbps (symmetric) 📌 UPGRADE RECOMMENDED: • Contact your ISP for 1 Gbps symmetric upgrade • Ask specifically for COMMITTED rate, not burst • Verify it's truly symmetric (upload = download) ============================================== 📈 USAGE vs CAPACITY ============================================== Current Usage: 189.45 Mbps down / 142.67 Mbps up Max Capacity: 814.00 Mbps down / 766.28 Mbps up Utilization: 23.3% ✅ GOOD HEADROOM (<50%) Plenty of capacity available for growth. ============================================== ⚠️ CRITICAL: Verify With Your Provider ============================================== This test shows your PORT SPEED (burst capacity). Your ISP may have a lower COMMITTED RATE. 🔍 Next Steps: 1. Check your hosting provider's bandwidth graphs 2. Look for 'red threshold lines' around 200-500 Mbps 3. Ask your ISP: 'What is my committed information rate?' 4. Verify sustained usage vs provider thresholds Example: '1 Gbps Unmetered' might mean: • Port: 1000 Mbps (burst) • Committed: 200 Mbps (sustained) • Billing: 95th percentile ============================================== Test Complete ============================================== ``` *** ## Interpreting Results ### ✅ Good Result ``` Download: 1200 Mbps Upload: 1150 Mbps Symmetric: Yes Utilization: 35% ``` **Action**: You're good. Monitor trends monthly. ### ⚠️ Warning Result ``` Download: 850 Mbps Upload: 780 Mbps Symmetric: Yes Utilization: 55% ``` **Action**: Plan upgrade to 1 Gbps committed soon. ### ❌ Critical Result ``` Download: 950 Mbps Upload: 180 Mbps Symmetric: No Utilization: 85% ``` **Action**: Upgrade immediately. Asymmetric connection will cause issues. *** ## Continuous Monitoring ### Run Periodically Add to cron for weekly reports: ```bash # Run bandwidth test every Sunday at 3 AM 0 3 * * 0 /home/validator/x1_bandwidth.sh >> /var/log/x1_bandwidth.log 2>&1 ``` ### Check Provider Graphs Don't just rely on speedtest — check your hosting provider's actual usage graphs: 1. Look for 95th percentile metrics 2. Check for red warning thresholds 3. Compare current usage vs thresholds 4. Monitor growth trends month-over-month *** ## FAQ **Q: I have "1 Gbps" but speedtest shows 800 Mbps. Why?** A: TCP/IP overhead, network congestion, or provider throttling. Also verify if it's committed vs burst. **Q: My upload is lower than download. Is that OK?** A: No. Validators need symmetric bandwidth. Upgrade to fiber with equal upload/download. **Q: I'm at 60% utilization. Should I upgrade?** A: Yes. X1 network usage is growing. Upgrade before you hit 80-90%. **Q: What's the difference between committed and burst?** A: Committed = sustained 24/7. Burst = temporary spikes allowed. Validators need committed. **Q: Can I run a validator on cable internet?** A: No. Cable is asymmetric (low upload). You need symmetric fiber. *** ## Notes * Run during normal validator operation to see real-world throughput alongside capacity tests. * Speedtest results may vary — run multiple times for accurate average. * For continuous monitoring, consider setting up a cron job to log results. * Requires: `speedtest-cli`, `bc`, `curl`, `ethtool`.\ Install with: ```bash sudo apt install -y speedtest-cli bc curl ethtool ``` --- # Agent Instructions: Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter: ``` GET https://docs.x1.xyz/validating/performance/validator-bandwidth-test.md?ask= ``` The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.