# 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 ```