---
title: VRF Key Migration Guide
description: Migrate existing validator nodes to use VRF keys without downtime
---

# VRF Key Migration Guide

This guide provides step-by-step instructions for adding VRF keys to existing Sonr validator nodes that were initialized before VRF key support was added.

## Overview

VRF (Verifiable Random Function) keys are required for:
- Multi-validator encryption features (added in v0.1.12)
- Consensus-based key rotation
- Secure encryption key derivation

Existing nodes initialized before v0.1.12 may not have VRF keys generated.

## Pre-Migration Checklist

Before starting the migration:

- [ ] **Backup** your validator keys and configuration
- [ ] **Identify** which validators need VRF keys
- [ ] **Plan** migration during low-traffic period
- [ ] **Coordinate** with other validators (for governance proposals)
- [ ] **Test** on testnet first

## Migration Scenarios

### Scenario 1: Encryption Not Needed

If your network doesn't use encryption features, you can disable encryption instead of generating VRF keys.

**Option A: Disable via Governance**

1. Create governance proposal:

```bash
cat > disable-encryption-proposal.json <<EOF
{
  "messages": [
    {
      "@type": "/cosmos.params.v1beta1.MsgUpdateParams",
      "authority": "sonr10d07y265gmmuvt4z0w9aw880jnsr700j8yv32t",
      "params": {
        "encryption_enabled": false
      }
    }
  ],
  "metadata": "Disable encryption until VRF keys are configured",
  "deposit": "10000000usnr",
  "title": "Disable DWN Encryption",
  "summary": "Temporary disable encryption to allow gradual VRF key rollout"
}
EOF
```

2. Submit proposal:

```bash
snrd tx gov submit-proposal disable-encryption-proposal.json \
  --from validator \
  --chain-id sonrtest_1-1 \
  --gas auto \
  --gas-adjustment 1.5
```

3. Vote and wait for execution.

**Option B: Genesis Parameter (New Networks Only)**

For new networks, set in genesis:

```json
{
  "app_state": {
    "dwn": {
      "params": {
        "encryption_enabled": false
      }
    }
  }
}
```

### Scenario 2: Gradual Migration (Recommended)

Migrate validators one at a time to minimize risk.

**Step 1: Disable Encryption Temporarily**

Follow Scenario 1, Option A to disable encryption via governance.

**Step 2: Generate VRF Keys for Each Validator**

On each validator node:

1. **Stop the validator** (optional, but recommended):
   ```bash
   systemctl stop snrd
   # or
   pkill snrd
   ```

2. **Generate VRF keys**:
   ```bash
   snrd keys vrf generate --chain-id sonrtest_1-1
   ```

3. **Verify generation**:
   ```bash
   snrd keys vrf show
   snrd keys vrf verify
   ```

4. **Check permissions**:
   ```bash
   ls -la ~/.sonr/vrf_secret.key
   # Should show: -rw------- (0600)
   ```

5. **Restart validator**:
   ```bash
   systemctl start snrd
   # or start manually
   ```

6. **Verify node is syncing**:
   ```bash
   snrd status | jq '.SyncInfo'
   ```

**Step 3: Verify All Validators Have VRF Keys**

On each validator, run:

```bash
snrd keys vrf verify
```

All validators should show:
```
✓ VRF keys are fully functional
```

**Step 4: Re-enable Encryption**

Once all validators have VRF keys:

1. Create governance proposal:

```bash
cat > enable-encryption-proposal.json <<EOF
{
  "messages": [
    {
      "@type": "/cosmos.params.v1beta1.MsgUpdateParams",
      "authority": "sonr10d07y265gmmuvt4z0w9aw880jnsr700j8yv32t",
      "params": {
        "encryption_enabled": true
      }
    }
  ],
  "metadata": "Re-enable encryption after VRF key deployment",
  "deposit": "10000000usnr",
  "title": "Enable DWN Encryption",
  "summary": "Re-enable encryption now that all validators have VRF keys"
}
EOF
```

2. Submit and execute proposal.

### Scenario 3: Coordinated Network Upgrade

For critical production networks, coordinate a network-wide upgrade.

**Phase 1: Preparation (1-2 weeks before)**

1. **Announce upgrade** to all validators
2. **Share migration plan** and timeline
3. **Test on testnet** with same validator set
4. **Prepare rollback plan**

**Phase 2: Pre-Upgrade (1 day before)**

1. **Verify all validators** are ready:
   ```bash
   # Check validator set
   snrd query staking validators --output json | jq '.validators[] | {moniker, status}'
   ```

2. **Backup critical data**:
   ```bash
   # Backup validator state
   tar -czf validator-backup-$(date +%Y%m%d).tar.gz \
     ~/.sonr/config/ \
     ~/.sonr/data/priv_validator_state.json
   ```

3. **Sync upgrade binary**:
   ```bash
   # Ensure all validators have same version
   snrd version
   ```

**Phase 3: Migration Window**

1. **Stop network** at agreed block height:
   ```bash
   # All validators stop
   systemctl stop snrd
   ```

2. **Generate VRF keys** on each validator:
   ```bash
   snrd keys vrf generate --chain-id sonrtest_1-1
   snrd keys vrf verify
   ```

3. **Verify permissions**:
   ```bash
   chmod 0600 ~/.sonr/vrf_secret.key
   ```

4. **Restart validators** in coordination:
   ```bash
   systemctl start snrd
   ```

5. **Monitor network recovery**:
   ```bash
   # Watch consensus
   snrd status | jq '.SyncInfo.catching_up'

   # Watch block production
   watch -n 1 'snrd status | jq ".SyncInfo.latest_block_height"'
   ```

**Phase 4: Post-Migration Verification**

1. **Check all validators online**:
   ```bash
   snrd query tendermint-validator-set | jq '.validators[].address'
   ```

2. **Verify VRF functionality**:
   ```bash
   # On each validator
   snrd keys vrf verify
   ```

3. **Test encryption features**:
   ```bash
   # Create encrypted record
   snrd tx dwn create-record \
     --protocol "encrypted-protocol" \
     --data "test-data" \
     --from validator
   ```

4. **Monitor for errors**:
   ```bash
   journalctl -u snrd -f | grep -i "vrf\|encryption"
   ```

## Rollback Procedures

If issues arise during migration:

### Emergency Rollback

1. **Stop affected validators**:
   ```bash
   systemctl stop snrd
   ```

2. **Disable encryption via governance** (if network is running):
   ```bash
   # Submit emergency proposal
   snrd tx gov submit-proposal disable-encryption-proposal.json --expedited
   ```

3. **Restore from backup**:
   ```bash
   # Stop node
   systemctl stop snrd

   # Restore backup
   tar -xzf validator-backup-YYYYMMDD.tar.gz -C ~/

   # Restart
   systemctl start snrd
   ```

4. **Verify recovery**:
   ```bash
   snrd status
   ```

### Gradual Rollback

If only some validators have issues:

1. Keep VRF keys on working validators
2. Remove VRF keys from problematic validators:
   ```bash
   mv ~/.sonr/vrf_secret.key ~/.sonr/vrf_secret.key.backup
   ```
3. Disable encryption temporarily
4. Debug issues before retry

## Validation & Testing

### Pre-Migration Testing

Test on a private testnet first:

```bash
# Setup test network
CHAIN_ID="test-migration" make localnet

# Test VRF generation
snrd keys vrf generate --chain-id test-migration
snrd keys vrf verify

# Test with encryption enabled
snrd query dwn params

# Test key rotation
# (trigger validator set change)
```

### Post-Migration Validation

After migration, verify:

1. **All validators have VRF keys**:
   ```bash
   # On each validator
   snrd keys vrf show
   ```

2. **No VRF errors in logs**:
   ```bash
   journalctl -u snrd --since "1 hour ago" | grep -i "vrf" | grep -i "error"
   # Should return nothing
   ```

3. **Encryption working**:
   ```bash
   snrd query dwn params | jq '.params.encryption_enabled'
   # Should return: true
   ```

4. **Key rotation functional**:
   ```bash
   # Check encryption state
   snrd query dwn encryption-state
   ```

## Troubleshooting

### Issue: "VRF keys not loaded"

**Cause**: Keys not generated or file permissions incorrect.

**Fix**:
```bash
# Regenerate keys
snrd keys vrf generate --chain-id <your-chain-id> --force

# Fix permissions
chmod 0600 ~/.sonr/vrf_secret.key

# Verify
snrd keys vrf verify
```

### Issue: "Failed to check and perform key rotation"

**Cause**: Encryption enabled but VRF keys missing on some validators.

**Fix**:
1. Identify validators without VRF keys
2. Temporarily disable encryption
3. Generate VRF keys on all validators
4. Re-enable encryption

### Issue: Network Stalled During Migration

**Cause**: Too many validators offline simultaneously.

**Fix**:
1. Ensure >2/3 voting power online
2. Coordinate restart timing
3. Use smaller migration windows per validator

### Issue: Inconsistent VRF Keys

**Cause**: Different chain-id used during generation.

**Fix**:
```bash
# Check chain-id in genesis
jq '.chain_id' ~/.sonr/config/genesis.json

# Regenerate with correct chain-id
snrd keys vrf generate --chain-id <correct-chain-id> --force
```

## Best Practices

### Before Migration

- ✅ Test on testnet with same topology
- ✅ Backup all validator data
- ✅ Document rollback procedures
- ✅ Prepare monitoring dashboards
- ✅ Schedule during low-traffic period

### During Migration

- ✅ Migrate one validator at a time (gradual)
- ✅ Monitor logs continuously
- ✅ Verify each step before proceeding
- ✅ Keep communication channels open
- ✅ Document any issues encountered

### After Migration

- ✅ Verify all validators functional
- ✅ Test encryption features
- ✅ Monitor performance metrics
- ✅ Update documentation
- ✅ Schedule follow-up verification

## Timeline Recommendations

### Small Network (3-5 validators)
- **Preparation**: 3-5 days
- **Migration**: 1-2 hours
- **Verification**: 1 day

### Medium Network (10-20 validators)
- **Preparation**: 1 week
- **Migration**: 4-6 hours (gradual) or 30 minutes (coordinated)
- **Verification**: 2-3 days

### Large Network (50+ validators)
- **Preparation**: 2-3 weeks
- **Migration**: 1-2 days (gradual) or network upgrade
- **Verification**: 1 week

## Support & Resources

- **VRF Key Management Guide**: `/guides/vrf-key-management`
- **GitHub Issues**: https://github.com/sonr-io/sonr/issues
- **Discord**: Validator support channel
- **Documentation**: https://docs.sonr.io

## Appendix: Automation Script

For networks with many validators, use this automation script:

```bash
#!/bin/bash
# vrf-migration.sh - Automated VRF key migration helper

set -e

CHAIN_ID="${CHAIN_ID:-sonrtest_1-1}"
BACKUP_DIR="${BACKUP_DIR:-$HOME/vrf-backup}"

# Colors for output
RED='\033[0;31m'
GREEN='\033[0;32m'
YELLOW='\033[1;33m'
NC='\033[0m' # No Color

log_info() {
    echo -e "${GREEN}[INFO]${NC} $1"
}

log_warn() {
    echo -e "${YELLOW}[WARN]${NC} $1"
}

log_error() {
    echo -e "${RED}[ERROR]${NC} $1"
}

# Backup existing data
backup_validator() {
    log_info "Creating backup..."
    mkdir -p "$BACKUP_DIR"
    tar -czf "$BACKUP_DIR/validator-$(date +%Y%m%d-%H%M%S).tar.gz" \
        ~/.sonr/config/ \
        ~/.sonr/data/priv_validator_state.json 2>/dev/null || true
    log_info "Backup created at $BACKUP_DIR"
}

# Generate VRF keys
generate_vrf() {
    log_info "Generating VRF keys for chain: $CHAIN_ID"
    if snrd keys vrf generate --chain-id "$CHAIN_ID"; then
        log_info "VRF keys generated successfully"
    else
        log_error "Failed to generate VRF keys"
        exit 1
    fi
}

# Verify VRF keys
verify_vrf() {
    log_info "Verifying VRF keys..."
    if snrd keys vrf verify; then
        log_info "VRF keys verified successfully"
    else
        log_error "VRF key verification failed"
        exit 1
    fi
}

# Fix permissions
fix_permissions() {
    log_info "Fixing VRF key permissions..."
    chmod 0600 ~/.sonr/vrf_secret.key
    log_info "Permissions set to 0600"
}

# Main migration flow
main() {
    log_info "Starting VRF key migration..."
    log_info "Chain ID: $CHAIN_ID"

    # Backup
    backup_validator

    # Generate keys
    generate_vrf

    # Fix permissions
    fix_permissions

    # Verify
    verify_vrf

    log_info "Migration completed successfully!"
    log_info "Please restart your validator node"
}

# Run migration
main
```

Save and run:
```bash
chmod +x vrf-migration.sh
CHAIN_ID="sonrtest_1-1" ./vrf-migration.sh
```