How to Run an Aurora Node? Easy Way

In this step-by-step guide, we will explore how to run an Aurora node by yourself. In addition, we will learn the most convenient and fast way of accessing Aurora RPC nodes with the node provider NOWNodes. 

Aurora offers a wide range of features and capabilities that enable developers to create decentralized applications (dApps) with ease. To fully unlock the power of the Aurora ecosystem, it is crucial to understand the concept of an Aurora node, its technical features, and its significance in the Aurora ecosystem.

Aurora nodes play a vital role in tracking transactions and maintaining the integrity of the network, ensuring that all transactions are valid and adhere to the rules of the network. So Aurora nodes contribute to the decentralization and security of the ecosystem.

Aurora is a solution that enables the execution of Ethereum contracts on the NEAR blockchain, which offers faster transaction speeds, scalability, and environmental friendliness. The Aurora ecosystem offers several benefits that make it an attractive choice for users and developers:

Moreover, to double the benefit of Web3 development, we recommend you use a Web3 node provider NOWNodes for accessing Aurora RPC nodes. Explore the text below to understand how to access Aurora RPC nodes and utilize Aurora endpoint with ease to save your crypto business resources. 

NOWNodes is a blockchain-as-a-service provider that offers crypto developers and Web3 businesses access to full nodes, block explorers, and WebSocket connections. 

With the node provider, you achieve a fast and secure connection to the Aurora mainnet RPC as the no-KYC service NOWNodes takes all the complexities for maintaining and updating nodes. This ensures that you can access the Aurora mainnet RPC and Aurora endpoint without any interruptions or delays, allowing you to interact with the Aurora ecosystem seamlessly. So the RPC node provider helps crypto businesses and individuals to save financial, technical, and human resources. 

With a user-friendly interface and comprehensive documentation, your Aurora mainnet RPC connection experience is simple. Just follow the steps below:  

To access the Aurora RPC node and Aurora endpoint with NOWNodes, you can follow these steps:

• Move on to the NOWNodes website at (https://nownodes.io/) for signing up for an account if you haven’t done it already.
• Choose a tariff plan and select the network you want to access (in this case, Aurora mainnet). For example, you have an opportunity to pick up a free plan on a START plan and access 5 blockchains through a private API key. 
• Create your crypto API key in your NOWNodes account dashboard. Once your Aurora API key is generated, explore the docs and find the Aurora endpoint. Now, you can use the copied Aurora endpoint URL and Aurora API key to connect to the node in your application or development environment.

Using the RPC node provider like NOWNodes to access the Aurora mainnet RPC offers a reliable, scalable, and user-friendly solution that allows you to interact with the blockchain efficiently. With NOWNodes developers can integrate the Aurora API key into their development workflow, allowing them to interact with the blockchain seamlessly.

Moreover, the node provider offers professional customer support and assistance. If you encounter any issues or have questions while accessing the Aurora mainnet RPC, the NOWNodes team will be readily available to help you resolve them and ensure a smooth experience.

Remember to securely store your Aurora API key and use it in your requests to the Aurora endpoint. By connecting to the Aurora mainnet RPC, you become part of a global network of nodes, contributing to the security and integrity of the blockchain. This will allow you to access the Aurora mainnet RPC and Aurora endpoint seamlessly.

We hope this Aurora guide was helpful to you, so now we are going to learn how to run Aurora nodes by yourself. 

Running Aurora nodes by yourself can be quite challenging as it requires technical expertise and knowledge of distributed systems. This includes configuring the necessary hardware, networking, and software components. Moreover, it is a time-consuming experience. Additionally, running Aurora nodes involves dealing with various challenges such as monitoring, troubleshooting, and keeping up with software updates and security patches. 

Follow the Aurora guide that will help you get started. 

To ensure optimal performance, it is recommended to have the following minimal hardware specifications for running Aurora nodes:

CPU: 8-Core (16-Thread) Intel i7/Xeon or equivalent with AVX support

RAM: 12 GB DDR4

Storage: 600GB SSD (NVMe SSD is recommended. HDD will be enough for localnet only)

Make sure that your computer or server meets the minimum requirements for running an Aurora node, including sufficient storage, memory, and processing power.

Moreover, before setting an Aurora node, make sure your system meets the following prerequisites and dependencies:

• x86-64 architecture
• Curl
• Docker (recommended versions: Docker Engine v20.10.18 and above)
• AWS Account (optional): If you plan to use a near datalake on AWS S3, you will need an AWS account. This will enable you to access and store data on AWS S3, which can be used in conjunction with the Aurora node.
• Near Account (optional): To perform Write Transactions and use Custom Signers, you will need a Near Account. This account will allow you to interact with the Near blockchain network and perform specific actions through the Aurora node.
• The Aurora node depends on Aurora Relayer2, which is a Web3-compatible relayer server for Aurora. Ensure that you have Aurora Relayer2 installed and properly configured to enable seamless communication between the Aurora node and the Aurora network.
• The Aurora node also depends on Aurora Refiner, which allows users to retrieve all relevant information related to Aurora. Make sure you have Aurora Refiner installed and set up correctly to access comprehensive data about the Aurora network.

As you’ve done all the prerequisites and dependencies, you are ready to install the standalone-rpc script. 

This installation process configures standalone-rpc, downloads required Near and Aurora snapshots, and starts containers to serve RPC and sync with blockchain. 

Step 1: Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/aurora-is-near/standalone-rpc

Step 2: Navigate to the cloned directory: cd standalone-rpc

Step 3: Checkout the desired version tag: git checkout {version tag}

Step 4: Run the installation script: ./install.sh

   – The installer configures standalone-rpc, downloads required Aurora snapshots and starts containers to serve RPC and sync with the blockchain.

   – Note that downloading snapshots and syncing with the chain may take some time depending on your network bandwidth and CPU.

   – All installation artifacts and chain data are placed under the standalone-rpc/srpc2 directory.

Step 5: After installation is completed, standalone-rpc will start serving RPC and catching up with the network. You can stop and start standalone-rpc by executing the ./stop.sh or ./start.sh scripts placed under the srpc2 directory.

By following these steps, you can set up your own Aurora node and start exploring the vast possibilities offered by the Aurora ecosystem. Remember to keep your software up-to-date to benefit from performance improvements, bug fixes, and new features. Explore additional tips below for Aurora node better performance. 

Running an Aurora node is not only about setting it up correctly but also about optimizing its performance. By optimizing your node, you can ensure smooth operation and maximize its efficiency. Here are some tips to optimize your Aurora node:

• Hardware Considerations: Ensure that your hardware meets the recommended specifications for running an Aurora node. A powerful processor, sufficient memory, and ample storage are essential for optimal performance.
• Network Connectivity: Stable and fast internet connectivity is crucial for running an Aurora node. A reliable internet connection ensures that your node stays in sync with the Aurora network and can process transactions efficiently.
• Regular Updates: Keep your Aurora client software up to date. Developers frequently release updates that include bug fixes, security patches, and performance improvements. By staying up to date with the latest version, you can take advantage of these enhancements.
• Proper Configuration: Review the configuration options available for your Aurora node and adjust them according to your needs. Fine-tuning settings such as gas limits, block propagation, and synchronization parameters can significantly impact your node’s performance.

By following these optimization techniques, you can ensure that your Aurora node operates at its best, providing a seamless experience and contributing to the overall stability of the network.

In this ultimate guide, we explored the role of Aurora nodes in dApp and crypto project development  and the step-by-step process of setting up your Aurora node. Aurora nodes enable developers and businesses to access the benefits of the NEAR blockchain while maintaining compatibility with Ethereum.

Moreover, we’ve discovered the easiest way of accessing the Aurora mainnet RPC and Aurora endpoint with NOWNodes for their utilization in your dApp and crypto project development. 

Don’t miss the opportunity to connect to the Aurora ecosystem with NOWNodes. Get your private Aurora API key and benefit from saving crypto business resources. 

Moreover, don’t miss out on valuable content and exciting updates for developers in the NOWNodes blog! Stay tuned with the latest NOWNodes news on Twitter and LinkedIn. Join our Telegram today and become part of our vibrant Web3 community! 😊

• You can easily access Aurora mainnet RPC with the NOWNodes no-KYC non custodial service. With the Aurora API key and its usage in your requests to the Aurora endpoint, you can access blockchain data for your Web3 needs. 
• If you want to run an Aurora node by yourself, you should first meet the hardware requirements. Moreover, make sure your system meets the prerequisites and dependencies such as x86-64 architecture, Curl, Docker, Aurora Relayer2, and Aurora Refiner. Install and start standalone-rpc by cloning the repository and running the installation script. Start standalone-rpc with ./start.sh script.