diff --git a/_posts/2016-12-31-updated-instructions-full-node.md b/_posts/2016-12-31-updated-instructions-full-node.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..e9fabe73 --- /dev/null +++ b/_posts/2016-12-31-updated-instructions-full-node.md @@ -0,0 +1,122 @@ +--- +# This file is licensed under the MIT License (MIT) available on +# http://opensource.org/licenses/MIT. + +type: posts +layout: post +category: blog + +title: "Updated Instructions: How to Run a Full Node" +permalink: /en/posts/how-to-run-a-full-node.html +date: 2016-12-31 +author: | + Will Binns +--- + +{:.center} +![How to Run a Full Node](/img/blog/free/how-to-run-a-full-bitcoin-node.png) + +Updated instructions for [how to run a full node](https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node) +as of version **0.13.1** are now available on Bitcoin.org. These instructions allow +one to quickly get set up and running with a full node on the following +operating systems: + +- [Linux](https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#linux-instructions) + +- [MacOS](https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#mac-os-x-instructions) + +- [Windows](https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#windows-instructions) + +In addition to the above operating systems, tips on [how to configure a full +bitcoin node for a local area network](https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#network-configuration) +and [how to tweak the reference client configuration](https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#configuration-tuning) +are available. + +## Why is running a full bitcoin node important? +Full nodes help enforce the consensus rules of the Bitcoin network. When a full +node client is running, it downloads every new block and every new transaction +and checks them to make sure they are valid. Here are some examples of consensus +rules, though there are many more: + +- Blocks may only [create](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Controlled_supply) a + certain number of bitcoins. + +- Transactions must have correct signatures for the bitcoins being spent. + +- Transactions/blocks must be in the correct data format. + +- Within the [blockchain](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Block_chain), a transaction + output cannot be double-spent. + +*Read more about what a full node is, the consensus rules above and other +incentives for supporting the network in the [Bitcoin Wiki](https://en.bitcoin.it/wiki/Full_node).* + +## Minimum Requirements +Bitcoin Core full nodes have certain requirements. If you try running a node on +weak hardware, it may work — but you’ll likely spend more time dealing with +issues. If you can meet the following requirements, you’ll have an easy-to-use +node. + +- Desktop or laptop hardware running recent versions of Windows, Mac OS X, or + Linux. + +- 125GB of free disk space (size of the blockchain plus room to grow) + +- 2GB of memory (RAM) + +- A broadband Internet connection with upload speeds of at least 400 kilobits + (50 kilobytes) per second + +- An unmetered connection, a connection with high upload limits, or a connection + you regularly monitor to ensure it doesn’t exceed its upload limits. It’s +common for full nodes on high-speed connections to use 200GB in uploads or more +a month. Download usage is around 20GB/month, plus around an additional 100GB +the first time you start your node. + +- 6 hours/day that your full node can be left running. (You can do other things + with your computer while running a full node.) More hours would be better, and +best of all would be if you can run your node continuously. + +**Note:** many operating systems today (Windows, Mac, and Linux) enter a low-power +mode after the screensaver activates, slowing or halting network traffic. This +is often the default setting on laptops and on all Mac OS X laptops and +desktops. Check your screensaver settings and disable automatic “sleep” or +“suspend” options to ensure you support the network whenever your computer is +running. + +## What to do if you need help +Please seek out assistance in the [community](https://bitcoin.org/en/community) +if you need help setting up your full node correctly to handle high-value and +privacy-sensitive tasks. Do your own diligence to ensure who you get help from +is ethical, reputable and qualified to assist you. + +## Acknowledgments +Special thanks goes to [David Harding](https://github.com/harding) who created +the majority of the content comprising the original instructions on Bitcoin.org +for running a full node as of version **0.10.0**. A great thank you goes to the +other contributors (in no preferential order) who have worked to improve this +page over time as well: + +- [Kevin Cooper](https://github.com/kevcooper) + +- [Joseph Becher](https://github.com/drazisil) + +- [Jorgeminator](https://github.com/Jorgeminator) + +- [Gyomu](https://github.com/Gyomu) + +- [Jonas Schnelli](https://github.com/jonasschnelli) + +- [Marko Falke](https://github.com/MarcoFalke) + +- [cpmx](https://github.com/cpmx) + +- [anduck](https://github.com/anduck) + +- [dabura667](https://github.com/dabura667) + +- [seusher](https://github.com/seusher) + +**Interested in getting involved?** + +[Learn how you can participate](https://github.com/bitcoin-dot-org/bitcoin.org#how-to-participate). diff --git a/img/blog/free/how-to-run-a-full-bitcoin-node.png b/img/blog/free/how-to-run-a-full-bitcoin-node.png new file mode 100644 index 00000000..935fbe6a Binary files /dev/null and b/img/blog/free/how-to-run-a-full-bitcoin-node.png differ