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Migrate the database

As of v21.5.0, new Teku installations use a LevelDB2 database. Previous Teku versions use RocksDB which continues to be supported.

LevelDB2 databases use less memory and proves to be more stable with Teku.

caution

We recommend Teku nodes running in archive mode use the automatic migration method, and Teku nodes running in prune mode use the manual migration.

Automatic migration​

Teku nodes running in archive mode must resynchronize from genesis to migrate from RocksDB to LevelDB2. Use the migrate-database subcommand to migrate the database. Once migration completes there will be two databases in Teku's data folder. Manually verify that Teku starts and has the expected data before you remove the RocksDB database.

note

You need double the disk space of the existing Teku storage folder for the migration process. Once you are satisfied with the migration then you can delete the RocksDB to free up space.

Ensure that Teku isn't running when using the migrate-database subcommand. The duration of the migration depends on various factors, but principally on the disk speed. Status updates display during the migration process. To migrate the database:

  1. Shut down the local Teku instance.

  2. Run migrate-database to create a LevelDB2 database. Pass your configuration file or CLI options so that Teku has the correct paths and context.

    Example
    teku migrate-database --data-path /etc/teku/data/

    At a minimum, provide the --network and --data-path options.

    note

    If not supplied --network defaults to mainnet.

  3. The migration process informs you if it succeeded, or provides context to errors. If successful, then confirm Teku functions correctly.

    Example
    teku --data-path /etc/teku/data/

  4. If Teku is running correctly, remove the beacon.old directory from the --data-path directory.

If migration fails, resolve any issues and retry. Contact support on the Teku Discord channel if you need help resolving issues.

Manual migration​

Users can manually migrate Teku nodes running a RocksDB database to a LevelDB2 database if the Teku node runs in prune mode.

caution

Teku nodes running in archive mode must resynchronize from genesis to migrate. Use the automatic migration to migrate Teku nodes running in archive mode.

To migrate a RocksDB database in prune mode to a LevelDB2 database:

  1. Download the latest finalized state from a beacon node:

    curl -o state.ssz -H 'Accept: application/octet-stream' http://other-node:5051/eth/v2/debug/beacon/states/finalized
    note

    This step is optional, you can also supply the finalized checkpoint state via URL from a beacon chain node or Infura when restarting Teku in the step below.

  2. Stop the Teku node you intend to migrate.

  3. Delete the beacon directory in your data path.

    warning

    Ensure not to delete the validator directory if one is present as this contains your slashing protection data.

  4. Restart Teku and specify the downloaded finalized state using the --initial-state command.

Teku creates a LevelDB2 database, and starts from the specified recent state. Teku should be in sync and validating within minutes.