I had no previous knowledge in making a node.
The only related knowledge was negligible, of just using very few Linux (Terminal) commands.
![Screen Shot 2018-06-04 at 01.33.24.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbF6CA83aNdDnu35xgbZW2Zoz6PrrX1YJAK1NdRxtyLx7/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-04%20at%2001.33.24.png)
Chose it to be a Zencash secure node, since they are the cheapest, and a fork of Zcash.
And have found a [tutorial](https://steemit.com/zencash/@controllinghand/zencash-securenode-setup-guide-v1-0-vps-on-digital-ocean-mac-local-wallet).

# Short intro
For a Zencash secure node, you will need
* a stake of  42.3 Zen
* a VPS
* a DNS
>Mainly, i have followed the tutorial step by step.
In the following paragraphs i will present the differences from the tutorial and some problems i have encountered.

# Google VPS - Google Cloud Platform

I have used the tutorial [here](https://steemit.com/zencash/@controllinghand/zencash-securenode-setup-guide-v1-0-vps-on-digital-ocean-mac-local-wallet). But it describes how to use Digital Ocean VPS and since Google is providing a <b>free trial of 300$ for a max of 12 months</b>, of course I have opted to use something free.
Google's free trial should be enough for 10 months => <b>30$/month</b>
#### Steps
1. Create a GCP account. Add your card - will not make payments without your confirmation.
2. Start the free trial.
3. Start a project. Start a VM *ComputeEngine*
![Screen Shot 2018-06-04 at 00.08.23.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmR78soNnHt3UVdsQfncMMCARZKUGBuyQRyZDMC5BUGH5i/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-04%20at%2000.08.23.png)
Configure your server to have
3.1. 1 vCPU
3.2. ~4 GB RAM
3.3. at least 20 GB SSD
3.4. Ubuntu 16.04 LTS
> I have found that the GCP US-east servers are cheaper => 10 months free

![Screen Shot 2018-06-03 at 23.41.12.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbYNikAwAn4e74YGoognp6hemDKqcGem2pDVi28xgY15z/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-03%20at%2023.41.12.png)

3.5. Make sure to allow HTTP & HTTPS traffic. _**acme** needs it_
3.6. Under Networking, make your **External IP static**. reserve it
![Screen Shot 2018-06-03 at 23.52.59.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmV83SEDFHS8FU5NMuKGWynDGDQA27ZjMLshm4frLJ9WcL/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-03%20at%2023.52.59.png)
3.7. Name it something related. No need to pay for it, so make it standard
![Screen Shot 2018-06-03 at 23.49.10.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmVcxSL5inAeiAupE7GLVYuv5kVp2v2UcDCXAL9TGN2C2t/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-03%20at%2023.49.10.png)
3.8. Under SSH - add your ssh keys in order to connect from other computers without using gcp's interface. *Later add each user to sudo*
3.9. Create it
![Screen Shot 2018-06-03 at 23.30.40.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmbdPCtpPxJg6mUyD5BvDAmazmi2DrTBJo8zbL78Z2W1xL/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-03%20at%2023.30.40.png)
4.Edit the GCP Firewall settings.
https://console.cloud.google.com/networking/firewalls should directly redirect to your project's firewall settings
Create the tcp:9033 rule.
> This will allow the SSL certificate communication check
Test it from a terminal window after you have added the certificate to your server
*openssl s_client -connect SERVER_IP_OR_NS:9033*

![Screen Shot 2018-06-04 at 00.17.04.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmew2NtUfub3s2Mxv93oL7cQ8iJDrUe8DJ2upakzZUCuJD/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-04%20at%2000.17.04.png)

![Screen Shot 2018-06-04 at 00.18.51.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmW6xuee3isbgVhubgx1TyfaXxugTFgSkJepVzPtpF29Js/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-04%20at%2000.18.51.png)

# Other observations to the [Tutorial](https://steemit.com/zencash/@controllinghand/zencash-securenode-setup-guide-v1-0-vps-on-digital-ocean-mac-local-wallet)

### [Tutorial](https://steemit.com/zencash/@controllinghand/zencash-securenode-setup-guide-v1-0-vps-on-digital-ocean-mac-local-wallet)'s Section 8: Install a free certificate from LetsEncrypt 
Section 8.2. Just use GoDaddy. I have waited uselessly 1.5 days by using NS1 - free.
Then created via GoDaddy and it has worked/propagated instantly. 
> I have used a .online domain since it is only 1.5$/year - for the first year - made it for one year

Section 8.6.
>I have edited both root (_sudo su_) and the current user's crontab in order for this to work. "Quick and dirty, but it works"

crontab's content, notice the dots before acme.sh:
_6 0 * * * "/home/YOUR_USER/.acme.sh"/acme.sh --cron --home "/home/YOUR_USER/.acme.sh" > /dev/null_

### [Tutorial](https://steemit.com/zencash/@controllinghand/zencash-securenode-setup-guide-v1-0-vps-on-digital-ocean-mac-local-wallet)'s Section 9
3 Transactions of 0.1 ZENs each is enough

### [Tutorial](https://steemit.com/zencash/@controllinghand/zencash-securenode-setup-guide-v1-0-vps-on-digital-ocean-mac-local-wallet)'s Section 10  Install the Tracker
Section 10.3. *node setup.js* Add a real email since this will be used by zencash to announce errors (https://securenodes2.na.zensystem.io/)
![Screen Shot 2018-06-04 at 01.16.55.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSdySAwTeB65MiCrK9oC9fHkz2Q6wV9rRYZqVF8XQLsMt/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-04%20at%2001.16.55.png)
Section 10.4. *node app.js* Will throw an error if you do not have enough balance on the server. just send more
Section 10.5. After running the commands, do a **pm2 save** to save the added process.
Section 10.6. Combine with **sudo** if it does not work as is
Section 10.9. Do not forget to replace with your USER_NAME / PATH
Section 10.12. Do not forget to replace with your USER_NAME / PATH

# ALL NODE TESTS
1. zen-cli getnetworkinfo -> tls_cert_verified should be true
2. pm2 logs -> cert check should be true
**error:** cert check: valid=false. no peers found yet with secure connections to this node.
**verify with:** call on another computer terminal: openssl s_client -connect SERVER_IP_OR_NS:9033
It should print something
3. zen-cli getinfo -> blocks should be on track https://explorer.zen-solutions.io/
4. find your server/secure node https://securenodes2.na.zensystem.io/
Make sure cert is VALID and status is UP
![Screen Shot 2018-06-04 at 01.17.53.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmc7gzW4UtZYvYV1xA86jSA9iZYEUVFbv3mk5p8AxQ4crw/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-04%20at%2001.17.53.png)
Make sure there is no recent Compliance Exception or Downtime *right now*
Send yourself a challenge
![Screen Shot 2018-06-04 at 01.16.55.png](https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmSdySAwTeB65MiCrK9oC9fHkz2Q6wV9rRYZqVF8XQLsMt/Screen%20Shot%202018-06-04%20at%2001.16.55.png)
Check your mail to start the challenge. Results will be under **Challenge Results**
https://securenodes2.na.zensystem.io/nodes/YOUR_NODE_ID/chals


# IF EVERYTHING WORKS
You should start receiving payments (successful or errors) in ~1 day


# Hope it helped
Ask any related question.
I am a noob, but will answer as best as i can.

In making the server i have used only the tutorial above mentioned and google search for debugging.

>Zencash Donation:
znkJdfDB61REsPKV6D33f7qLTAr8sNX66JT