How to Run a Tezos Node? Easy Way

Are you interested in how to access a Tezos node? Today we will cover all the essential information you need to know about accessing Tezos nodes. We provide you with 2 methods: using NOWNodes Tezos full node provider and setting up a Tezos node by yourself. 

But first of all, let’s find out what Tezos (XTZ) Node is.

What is a Tezos (XTZ) Node?

Tezos, a self-amending blockchain platform, relies on a network of nodes to maintain its decentralized infrastructure. These nodes play a crucial role in validating transactions and ensuring the security and stability of the Tezos network. Tezos mainnet went live in September 2018. 

A Tezos (XTZ) node is software that allows users to connect to the Tezos blockchain network, participate in its governance, and contribute to the decentralization and security of the network. It is responsible for maintaining a copy of the entire blockchain, validating transactions, and participating in the consensus protocol. 

Running a Tezos node allows users to interact with the blockchain, access and verify the history of transactions, and participate in the governance of the network. It also enables users to create and broadcast transactions, delegate their Tezos tokens, and participate in the baking process (block validation and creation) if they hold a sufficient amount of Tezos tokens.

So, let’s dive into the details of how to run a Tezos node.

Access a Tezos Full Node with NOWNodes

NOWNodes is a blockchain-as-a-service solution that provides Tezos RPC node access. This is a simple and convenient way to access Tezos full node through a private Tezos API key. Moreover, you can easily access Tezos explorer without requiring advanced technical skills or managing infrastructure. 

You can easily access the Tezos RPC node instead of spending your resources by manually deploying one. NOWNodes provides developers and businesses with a seamless connection to the Tezos Mainnet, allowing them to interact with the blockchain and build decentralized applications (dApps) on top of it.

Just follow the simple steps below to get your private Tezos API key and get the access to Tezos mainnet through NOWNodes.

1. Visit the NOWNodes website (www.nownodes.io) and sign up for a new account.
2. As you have signed up, you are going to be proposed to choose the tariff plan. You have the option to easily choose a FREE plan, which grants you immediate access to an XTZ full node.
3. If you have selected the free plan, you will then be allowed to choose 5 blockchains from a selection of almost 80. Scroll down to select the Tezos (XTZ) one. Click the “ADD” button in front of the Tezos ticker to connect to the Tezos mainnet network.
4. The next step is to navigate to “DASHBOARD” in your account and scroll down the page. Simply push the button “ADD NEW KEY” and your own API key will be added automatically. This private Tezos API key could be used as a Tezos RPC node API or for any other blockchains from the chosen list.
5. Once you get your Tezos API key, you can use it to generate requests to the Tezos blockchain. Check all the available Tezos methods in the NOWNodes postman and interact with your platform by using the available endpoints. 

NOWNodes is a reliable service that allows you to benefit from scalability for handling large tasks and receive exceptionally fast API responses as your nodes are constantly monitored 24/7 to ensure their availability and relevance. 

Instead of setting up and running XTZ full node by yourself, you have the option of easily accessing the Tezos mainnet including Tezos Full node and Tezos mainnet explorer by entrusting all the complexities to a credible node provider like NOWNodes. 

As you already learned how to easily access an XTZ Full Node and get your Tezos API key easily with NOWNodes, now you are ready to know how to build a Tezos node by yourself.

Setting up a Tezos node by yourself

Setting up a Tezos node requires technical knowledge. If you do not have special knowledge, you will need to maintain highly skilled DevOps engineers. Moreover, setting up a Tezos node by yourself demands a large amount of financial resources. It involves acquiring special hardware, running and maintaining the software, keeping it up to date, and ensuring a stable internet connection. 

Below you can learn how to run an XTZ node by yourself.

Tezos node requirements and system specifications

Before diving into the setup process, it’s crucial to ensure that your system meets the requirements to run an XTZ node. Here are the main points you need to know:

• You’ll need a computer or server with sufficient computational power and storage capacity. A minimum of 8 CPU cores and 32 GB of RAM is recommended, although higher specifications will enhance the performance of your node.
• You should allocate at least 500 GB of disk space to accommodate the blockchain data. Since the blockchain continues to grow over time, it’s advisable to use a storage medium that allows for easy scalability, such as a solid-state drive (SSD).
• Your system should be running a modern operating system, such as Linux, macOS, or Windows. Linux, particularly Ubuntu, is widely recommended for running Tezos nodes due to its stability and compatibility with the Tezos software.

Now that you understand the Tezos node requirements, it’s time to proceed with setting up a Tezos node. In this step-by-step guide, we’ll cover the process of setting up an XTZ node from scratch, installing and configuring the necessary software, and exploring the various components involved in running successful nodes.

Running a Tezos node from scratch

To build an XTZ node from scratch, you’ll need to compile the XTZ software from the source code. This process ensures that you have the latest version of the software and allows for customization based on your system’s specifications. Begin by cloning the official Tezos repository from GitHub using the following command:

git clone https://github.com/tezos/tezos.git
cd tezos/scripts
chmod +x create_docker_image.sh
./create_docker_image.sh
docker run -d --name tezos-node -p 8732:8732 -p 8733:8733 -p 9732:9732 -v /path/to/your/config/dir:/home/tezos/.tezos-client/config -v /path/to/your/data/directory:/var/run/tezos <your_tezos_image_name>
to check logs:
docker logs —-tail 10 -f tezos-node

Once the repository is cloned, navigate to the Tezos directory and run the ./scripts/build.sh script to initiate the compilation process. This script will fetch the necessary dependencies and compile the Tezos binaries. Depending on your system’s specifications, this process may take some time to complete.

Once the compilation is finished, you’ll have access to the XTZ binaries, including the various tools required to run a node. It’s essential to configure your node correctly before proceeding further.

Installing and configuring an XTZ node

Before launching your XTZ node, you’ll need to install the necessary dependencies and configure the software according to your preferences. Start by installing the required system packages, such as libev, libgmp, and libhidapi, using your system’s package manager.

Next, configure the XTZ node by creating a configuration file called config.json. The created file needs to be placed in /path/to/your/config/dir. This file contains various parameters that define the behavior of your node, such as the network to connect to, the port to listen on, and the storage path for the blockchain data.

Here’s an example configuration file:

{
  "p2p": {
    "listen-addr": "[::]:9732",
    "bootstrap-peers": [
      "bootstrap.tezos.com"
    ]
  },
  "network": "mainnet",
  "data-dir": "/path/to/blockchain/data"
}

In this example, the node is configured to connect to the mainnet network, listen on port 9732, and store the blockchain data in the specified directory. Additionally, it’s set to bootstrap from the Tezos official bootstrap node.

Once you’ve created the configuration file, you need to restart your Tezos-node container using following commands:

docker restart tezos-node && docker logs —-tail 10 -f tezos-node

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up and launched your XTZ node. It will now start syncing with the Tezos network and contribute to the decentralization of the network.

Tezos provides a comprehensive set of RPC (Remote Procedure Call) commands that allow you to interact with your XTZ nodes programmatically. These Tezos RPC commands enable you to retrieve blockchain data, submit transactions, and perform various administrative tasks. To explore the available Tezos RPC commands and their documentation, you can access the Tezos RPC documentation website (https://tezos.gitlab.io/).

Conclusion

Running an XTZ node is a rewarding experience that allows you to contribute to the decentralization and security of the blockchain.

By following the step-by-step guide outlined in this article and noting all the Tezos node requirements, you can set up and operate an XTZ node effectively, harnessing the power of the Tezos network and unlocking its full potential.

Remember to familiarize yourself with the available Tezos RPC methods and Tezos RPC documentation, and utilize the Tezos API and Tezos Explorer for enhanced functionality. Prioritize the security of your XTZ node and its operation. By mastering the technicalities of running a Tezos node, you can actively participate in the ecosystem driving its growth and innovation.

Running an XTZ node can be challenging, especially when encountering technical issues. 

We recommend you start your nodes journey with NOWNodes. NOWNodes is a blockchain-as-a-service provider that offers effortless connectivity to Tezos RPC nodes using a Tezos API key. With lightning-fast connection times and high uptime, NOWNodes ensures seamless access to the Tezos mainnet without the need for manual node creation. 

Benefit from accessing XTZ Full node. Get your Tezos API key with NOWNodes!