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For newer versions, please consult: https://geth.ethereum.org/docs/getting-started/installing-geth
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Geth is an Ethereum node execution client. Historically, an execution client alone was enough to run a full Ethereum node. However, since Ethereum swapped from proof-of-work (PoW) to proof-of-stake (PoS) based consensus in2022, Geth now needs to be coupled to another piece of software called a "consensus client". Both pieces of software must be installed to operate an Ethereum node.
Installation of the Geth Ethereum client and Prysm client on Ubuntu 22.04 LTS is described herein.
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SCREEN
Screen is a Linux built-in windowing utility that enables you to operate several Linux programs at the same time. It’s useful when you have to switch back and forth between multiple programs within a single Terminal window. There are other ways of accomplishing this task - including using multiple Terminal windows - but Screen has the added benefit of persistence: the program does not terminate when you close a Screen window (or get disconnected).
Screen is used within this article. Complete instructions: https://linux.die.net/man/1/screen
Shortcuts:
Create a new screen window:
screen -S name_of_windowDetach from a window: Ctrl+Aa, then Dd
Attach to a window:
screen -r name_of_window
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For this example I chose “Prysm” because it is also based on the Go software. It was mostly an arbitrary decision. The guide guidance I provide below differs from the one at their website, as certain assumptions (Ubuntu + Geth + IPC + Mainnet) have already been calculated in.
Full Prysm installation instructions here: https://docs.prylabs.network/docs/install/install-with-script
a) Install Prysm:
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mkdir -p /root/.local/prysm cd /root/.local/prysm curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/master/prysm.sh --output prysm.sh && chmod +x prysm.sh |
b) Start Prysm:
Create a new SCREEN window, and start Prysm:
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screen -S prysm /root/.local/prysm/prysm.sh beacon-chain --execution-endpoint=/root/.ethereum/geth.ipc --mainnet --checkpoint-sync-url=https://beaconstate.info --genesis-beacon-api-url=https://beaconstate.info |
The IPC endpoint specified is the Linux Geth default.
Exit SCREEN using Ctrl+A, then “d” (for detach).
To later return (attach) to this window, use
screen -r prysm.
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Now that an account has been created, and a consensus client is operating, Geth & Prysm will begin to automatically synchronize it with the rest of the Ethereum network. This will take quite some time, and is unavoidable. You must prepare be prepared to wait days before the process is complete. Once finished with the initial sync, your Node will keep itself synchronized - but the first time is a bearlengthy.
To view the sync process, reattach to the Geth screen:
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This is an example of the node output:
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Notice the “age” and ETA reported in this log.
The synchronization may take a few days. The reported ETA is unreliable and virtually worthless. The actual ETA heavily depends upon several factors, including your CPU, GPU, RAM, storage technology, and Internet bandwidth. Once the entire blockchain has been downloaded and confirmed by your node, you’ll be ready to proceed with the next step of enabling remote access.
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Once you are satisfied that the synchronization is underway, exit the SCREEN using Ctrl+A, then “d”.
Watch and wait.
The node will attempt to use all available resources to finish as quickly as possible, and your server’s host may consider it to be abuse. They’ll respond by automatically “killing” your node. Here’s how to tell in the Geth Server:
If you see that, then your node was probably shut down for abusing your host’s “Terms of Service”. Yes, I was guilty of that once. Sorry Google. Explore the use of “cpulimit” to prevent that abuse, or increase the server resources to comply with your hosts demands.
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Control.
To monitor the sync progress, you may use the built-in Geth JavaScript client to check up on it. Once you’ve SSH’d in to your server, start the Geth JavaScript console using:
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