How to Set up an Ethereum Node

How to Set Up an Ethereum Node

By Daniel Ellison, Hardware and Software Researcher at ConsenSys

This guide contains three parts:

Part I
Setting up your Ethereum Node Part one covers the process of installing an Ethereum node remotely on a Virtual Private Server (VPS), synchronizing it with the blockchain, and setting it up to allow secure remote access.

Part II
Securing Remote Access to your Node Using MetaMask We explore secure remote access to this Ethereum node via MetaMask. We also cover how to make everything survive crashes and shutdowns.

Part III
Covers why a Linux firewall is important and describes how to set one up on your remote geth node.

Why you should set up your own Ethereum node

The concept behind Ethereum is to create a network of so many nodes that hold copies of the blockchain network that it would be impossible for any government, corporate entity, or cohort of nefarious actors to take down or censor the network. It's vital that the data be spread across the globe as widely as possible in order to ensure maximum decentralization. Therefore, if you want to help Ethereum grow, one of the best things you can do is set up your own node.