This tutorial provides a step-by-step guide to deploying a Soroban RPC server on DigitalOcean Kubernetes using Stellar Development Foundation Helm charts. It covers cluster creation, Helm repository setup, configuration for testnet, Nginx Ingress installation, DNS setup, and verification. Benefits include improved reliability, control, and performance for Stellar smart contract interactions.
The guide targets developers familiar with Kubernetes and DigitalOcean, walking through creating a 2-node Kubernetes cluster, installing doctl, kubectl, and Helm tools. It instructs adding the SDF Helm repository, customizing testnet values.yaml for the latest Soroban RPC image and custom domain ingress with Nginx. Deployment via Helm, service verification, Nginx Ingress Controller setup, DNS A record configuration to the load balancer IP, and health check testing are detailed. Maintenance tips include Helm upgrades and monitoring, with cleanup instructions provided. Links to official Stellar and DigitalOcean docs enhance the tutorial.