> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://skyneticlabs.gitbook.io/docs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://skyneticlabs.gitbook.io/docs/services/mainnet-networks/polkadot/polkadot-node-startup-auditor.md).

# Polkadot Node Startup Auditor

Pre-launch system audit for safe and predictable Polkadot node deployments.

The auditor performs a set of mandatory checks before the node starts, preventing common configuration mistakes.

***

### Purpose

Node Startup Auditor is used to:

* validate new servers before deploying a node
* ensure all DN/infra standards are met
* guarantee stable performance from first launch
* eliminate configuration drift

***

### How to Run

#### **1. Clone auditor from GitHub**

```bash
git clone https://github.com/Skyneticlabs/polkadot.git
cd polkadot/tools/node-startup-auditor
chmod +x auditor.sh
```

#### **2. Run audit**

```bash
sudo ./auditor.sh
```

#### **3. See the report**

```
report/auditor.log
```

***

### What Auditor Checks

#### ✔ systemd unit

* service exists
* Restart policy
* LimitNOFILE
* ExecStart path

#### ✔ kernel parameters (sysctl)

* rmem/wmem
* inotify
* VM settings (optional)

#### ✔ memory

* total RAM
* swap disabled

#### ✔ storage

* filesystem type (ext4/xfs)
* SSD/NVMe
* mount flags
* free space

#### ✔ process limits

* ulimit nofile → target 1,000,000

#### ✔ runtime

* polkadot binary
* version
* parachain support

***

###  Example Output

```
[PASS] systemd unit exists
[PASS] Filesystem OK (ext4)
[FAIL] rota=1 (HDD detected)
[PASS] RAM OK (32GB)
[WARN] nofile = 102400 (expected >= 1000000)

Final Result: FAIL
```

***

###  Recommended Node Configuration

| Parameter   | Value     |
| ----------- | --------- |
| RAM         | ≥ 32GB    |
| Storage     | NVMe      |
| FS          | ext4      |
| SWAP        | off       |
| LimitNOFILE | 1,000,000 |
| CPU         | ≥ 8 cores |

***

###  Integration with CI/CD

Auditor can be embedded into pipelines:

* GitHub Actions
* GitLab CI
* Jenkins
* Terraform
* Ansible

This allows enforcing infrastructure standards automatically.