Merge branch 'wbnns-full-node-blog'

_posts/2016-12-31-updated-instructions-full-node.md

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+---
+# 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: |
+  <a href="https://github.com/wbnns">Will Binns</a>
+---
+
+{:.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 [block chain](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
+A special thanks goes to the contributors (in no preferential order) who have
+worked to improve this page over time:
+
+- [David Harding](https://github.com/harding)
+
+- [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).