Setting Up Your Virtual Node

Pre-Installation Requirements

• Docker-compatible host system (Linux required)
• Minimum 1 GHz CPU, 1 GB RAM, 1 GB storage
• Network access to building automation devices
• Outbound internet access to Novant Cloud
• Administrative access to host system

Docker Installation Methods

Method 1: Command Line Installation

$ docker pull ghcr.io/novant-io/vnode-base:0.4.1

Method 2: Dockerfile Base Image

FROM ghcr.io/novant-io/vnode-base:0.4.1

Docker Compose Configuration

Create a docker-compose.yaml file:

version: "3"
services:
  novant-vnode:
    image: ghcr.io/novant-io/vnode-base:0.4.1
    platform: linux/amd64
    restart: always
    network_mode: host
    volumes:
      - {host_dir}:/data/

Important Configuration Notes:

• Replace {host_dir} with your non-volatile host storage directory
• network_mode: host is required for proper network functionality
• restart: always ensures automatic restart on failures
• Data directory must persist between container restarts

License Installation

1. Navigate to your project’s Settings > Nodes tab in the Novant cloud interface

2. Copy the virtual node license file content

3. Create the license file on your host system:

   mkdir -p {host_dir}/secrets/
   # Paste license content into:
   {host_dir}/secrets/node.license

Supported Architectures

Virtual nodes support these OS and CPU architectures:

• linux/amd64
• linux/arm64
• linux/arm

Virtual Node Benefits

• Deployment Flexibility: Runs on existing infrastructure
• Resource Efficiency: Utilizes existing hardware investments
• Lower Initial Cost: No additional hardware purchase required
• Easy Scaling: Simple to provision additional capacity