Want to participate in DUSK staking? The process isn't complicated: rent a cloud server → deploy the official node → import your wallet → stake tokens → stay online steadily to earn block rewards. It sounds simple, but the details determine success or failure.

**Prerequisites are indispensable**

First is funds. The theoretical threshold for DUSK tokens is 1000, but it's recommended to prepare more than 1100—after all, you need to reserve some for Gas fees. At the current price of $0.053, the cost is about $60, so the entry cost isn't too high. Buying channels are straightforward; most major exchanges support DUSK trading, and you can withdraw to the mainnet.

Hardware is also crucial. Don't be lazy here. The most common beginner mistake is using your home computer as a node—wrong! DUSK nodes must be online 24/7. If your home network disconnects, you'll be penalized, which isn't worth it. The correct approach is to rent a cloud server. The configuration doesn't need to be high: 2-core CPU, 4GB RAM, 50GB SSD is enough, with Ubuntu 20.04 or 22.04 as the system. Major overseas cloud providers (Vultr, Hetzner, DigitalOcean) charge around $5 to $10 per month, which is very acceptable.

Tool preparation is also simple. Use SSH tools to connect to the VPS. Windows users can install Putty or Xshell, and Mac users can just open the terminal.

**How to set up the server environment**

First, log into your VPS. Then, updating system components is critical—this can prevent various environment issues later. Open the terminal and run the update commands directly:

sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade -y

This step seems basic, but skipping it can lead to many problems later. Incorrect system dependencies or library versions can prevent the node program from running.

Next, install necessary dependency packages. Different cloud providers may have slight differences in environment, but the core development toolchain is essential. Make sure to have tools like curl and git, as they'll be needed for downloading the node program and configuring the environment.

**Node deployment and staking**

Download the DUSK node program from official sources and follow the documentation steps to configure it. Import your wallet, enter the staking amount, and keep the node running. The key is to ensure the server's network is stable—any long disconnection can impact your earnings.

In practice, regularly check the node logs to ensure proper synchronization and block production. If issues arise, the official documentation and community are very active, and problems can usually be resolved quickly.

Overall, the technical threshold for DUSK staking isn't high; the real challenge is maintaining stable operation. Choose a good cloud provider, configure properly, and perform regular maintenance. Earning block rewards monthly is entirely feasible.