# DAR Upload Process

Metra requires your validator to host and serve the DARs representing the Metra templates.

You must upload Metra’s DAR contracts to your validator node.

#### 5.1 Upload the DAR file to the validator

Use Canton Console or Validator API:

```
uploadDar my-metra.dar
```

#### 5.2 If accessing validator locally

Forward your participant or validator pod to localhost:

Example (Kubernetes):

```
kubectl port-forward {pod-name} 5002:5002 -n {namespace}
```

Then access Ledger API at:

```
http://localhost:5002
```

#### 5.3 Exposing the node via Ingress

If not already exposed, configure your ingress:

Example (pseudocode):

```
apiVersion: networking.k8s.io/v1
kind: Ingress
metadata:
  name: canton-api
spec:
  rules:
  - host: api.YOUR_HOST_DOMAIN
    http:
      paths:
      - path: /ledger-api
        backend:
          service:
            name: ledger-api-svc
            port: 5001
      - path: /validator-api
        backend:
          service:
            name: validator-api-svc
            port: 5002
```

This ensures Metra can call both APIs through the same base URL.


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