Why Run a Node?
A Monero node is a piece of software that stores a copy of the blockchain and connects to the P2P network. While you can use "Remote Nodes" (other people's servers) for convenience, running a "Local Node" offers significant benefits:
- Privacy: Remote nodes can see your IP address and when you broadcast transactions. A local node keeps this data on your own device.
- Security: You verify the blockchain yourself rather than trusting a third party.
- Network Health: More nodes make Monero more resilient against attacks and censorship.
Prerequisites
Hardware
- Storage: SSD recommended (HDD is very slow).
- Space: ~70GB (Pruned) or ~150GB+ (Full).
- RAM: At least 4GB.
Software
- Monero Command Line Tools (CLI).
- A text editor (Notepad, Nano, VS Code).
- Basic terminal/command prompt knowledge.
Step-by-Step Setup
1 Step 1: Download & Prepare Folders
Download the CLI tools from the official website. Once downloaded, create a dedicated folder for your node.
Windows
1. Create a folder named monerod on your C: drive.
2. Extract the downloaded zip contents into this folder.
3. Add an exclusion in Windows Defender for this folder to prevent false positives.
Linux
Run the following commands to create a directory and extract the tarball:
mkdir ~/monerod
tar -xjf monero-linux-x64-v*.tar.bz2 -C ~/monerod
2 Step 2: Create Configuration File
Instead of running the node with default settings, we will create a config file to customize it. In your monerod folder, create a new text file named bitmonero.conf.
Paste the following configuration into the file. This setup enables a Pruned Node (saves space) and sets up log locations.
data-dir=./data
# Log File Location
log-file=./data/logs/monerod.log
# Pruning (Saves disk space, downloads ~1/8th of full history)
prune-blockchain=1
sync-pruned-blocks=1
# Security
enable-dns-blocklist=1
no-zmq=1
3 Step 3: Start the Node
Open your terminal (or PowerShell on Windows) and navigate to your folder. Run the daemon using the config flag.
Command:
./monerod --config-file=./bitmonero.conf
(On Windows, use .\monerod.exe)
You will see the node begin to sync. If you see SYNCHRONIZED OK, your node is fully up to date. This process can take several hours or days depending on your internet and drive speed.
4 Step 4: Port Forwarding (Optional)
To help the network by letting other nodes download from you, you need to open port 18080.
- Router: Log into your router settings and forward TCP port 18080 to your computer's local IP.
- Linux Firewall (UFW): Run
sudo ufw allow 18080/tcp. - Windows Firewall: Create a new Inbound Rule allowing TCP connection on port 18080.
Useful Node Commands
| Command | Description |
|---|---|
| status | Check block height and connection status. |
| print_net_stats | See data traffic (upload/download) stats. |
| limit_down 1024 | Limit download speed to 1MB/s (adjust number as needed). |
| exit | Safely shut down the node and save the database. |
Where to Spend XMR
Now that you are running your own node, you can transact with maximum privacy. The following verified markets exclusively accept Monero (XMR).
Conclusion
Congratulations! You are now running a local Monero node. You have successfully increased your financial privacy and contributed to the strength of the network.
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