Every time the validator performs a duty, the duty is recorded and the monitor keeps track of the reward-related events for having performed it. For example:
* When attesting, the attestation is added to an aggregate, then a block, before a reward is applied to the state
The metrics are broadly compatible with [Lighthouse](https://lighthouse-book.sigmaprime.io/validator-monitoring.html), thus dashboards and alerts can be used with either client with minor adjustments.
# Publish metrics as totals for all monitored validators instead of each validator separately - used for limiting the load on metrics when monitoring many validators
When a validator performs a duty, such as signing an attestation or a sync committee message, this is broadcast to the network. Other nodes pick it up and package the message into an aggregate and later a block. The block is included in the canonical chain and a reward is given two epochs (~13 minutes) later.
The monitor tracks these actions and will log each step at the `INF` level. If any step is missed, a `NOT` log is shown instead.
The typical lifecycle of an attestation might look something like the following:
Failures are reported with a lag of two epochs (~13 minutes) - to examine the log for potential root causes, the logs from the epoch in the failure message should be looked at.
It should be noted that metrics are tracked for the current history - in the case of a reorg on the chain - in particular a deep reorg - no attempt is made to revisit previously reported values. In the case that finality is delayed, the risk of stale metrics increases.
Likewise, many metrics, such as aggregation inclusion, reflect conditions on the network - it may happen that the same message is counted more than once under certain conditions.
## Monitoring metrics
The full list of metrics supported by the validator monitoring feature can be seen in the [source code](https://github.com/status-im/nimbus-eth2/blob/unstable/beacon_chain/validators/validator_monitor.nim) or by examining the metrics output:
