Welcome to the Ontok Node Onboarding Guide. This resource is designed to assist you in successfully integrating nodes into the Ontok network.
Ontok serves as a New York network desk, providing valuable resources such as topology maps, a partner index, and technical briefs. Our aim is to deliver clarity inspired by the OTK Network.
To ensure a smooth onboarding experience, please follow these steps:
- Understand Network Requirements: Familiarize yourself with the technical specifications and requirements for nodes within the Ontok network.
- Gather Necessary Documentation: Collect all relevant documentation that will support your node integration process.
- Follow Integration Procedures: Adhere to the outlined procedures for setting up and configuring your node.
- Test Your Node: Conduct thorough testing to ensure your node is functioning correctly within the network.
- Seek Support: If you encounter any issues, do not hesitate to reach out for assistance from the Ontok support team.
By following this guide, you will be well-equipped to onboard your node effectively. Thank you for being a part of the Ontok community.
Practical Checks Before and After Your Node Goes Live
The steps above give the overall sequence, but most onboarding problems come from small details that are easy to overlook. The checks below are general good practice for bringing any new node into a shared network. Use them alongside the specifications in the network overview.
Before connecting
- Record the basics. Write down the node's hostname, hardware or virtual platform, operating system version and physical or logical location. A short inventory entry saves time later when someone needs to trace a fault.
- Plan addressing early. Confirm which IP ranges, VLANs or subnets the node will use, and check that nothing else is already assigned to them. Address conflicts are one of the most common causes of intermittent failures.
- Patch and harden. Apply current security updates, disable services you do not need, change any default credentials and set up key-based or otherwise strong authentication for remote access.
- Sync time. Point the node at a reliable time source. Clock drift can break certificate validation, confuse log correlation and cause authentication errors.
During integration
Bring the node up in stages rather than all at once. Confirm basic reachability first, then routing, then the services the node is meant to provide. If something fails, you will know which layer to look at. Keep a simple change log of what you configured and when, so you can roll back cleanly if needed.
Testing that means something
A successful ping only shows that the node is online. Useful tests check how it behaves in real use:
- Measure latency and packet loss to the peers the node will talk to most.
- Confirm that firewall rules allow the intended traffic and block everything else.
- Restart the node and check that its configuration, routes and services come back on their own.
- Check that logs and monitoring alerts actually reach whoever is responsible for watching them.
After go-live
Watch the node closely for the first few days. Compare its traffic and resource use against what you expected, and note any warnings that come up repeatedly. Once it is stable, update your documentation so the next person can see the node's final state. Use that record, not the original plan.
If you are coordinating with other organisations, the partner index can help you work out who to contact about shared links or peering arrangements.
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