setting up a new node

[soar_like_eagle]

folks,
I am new to bitcoin, i want to setup a node...any guide /pointers in that direction is appreciated. This could well be answered in this forum, pl redirect me to that.

[1715197611]

1715197611

[1715197611]

1715197611

[OmegaStarScream]

1. Install and run Bitcoin core.
2. Open the ports/allow connections.
3. Wait until the blockchain is fully downloaded

If you're unsure about the requirements (RAM, disk size etc.) and want a more detailed guide, read this article: https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#windows-10

[Stedsm]

If you are technically sound to various terms here, I think this should be your best bet here - https://medium.com/coinmonks/how-to-set-up-a-bitcoin-full-node-3-4-52d108e48822

That is the best article with almost every single information you need to get an in-depth view into running a full node successfully.

[soar_like_eagle]

If you're absolutely have no idea what to do, i suggest you to share your hardware specification and OS you use since each hardware/OS have different configuration and optimization.

I am going to use my laptop for this. its a 64bit windows 10 pro, 8GB RAM, with 500GB HD (Free-300GB). will this free space be sufficient.

If you're unsure about the requirements (RAM, disk size etc.) and want a more detailed guide, read this article: https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node#windows-10

I am gonna follow the windows setup mentioned here.

[ranochigo]

I am going to use my laptop for this. its a 64bit windows 10 pro, 8GB RAM, with 500GB HD (Free-300GB). will this free space be sufficient.

The main problem is usually with the storage space. Given that the current size is about 240~ish GB. You would probably be using the bulk of your remaining space on the blockchain. If you're only looking to use Bitcoin Core as a wallet, you can still prune the blockchain. This would still benefit the network in general, just to a lesser extent.

[soar_like_eagle]

If you're only looking to use Bitcoin Core as a wallet, you can still prune the blockchain. This would still benefit the network in general, just to a lesser extent.

I have 2 questions-
1. How to prune the blockchain? pruning happens after downloading the core or before. As suggested by ETFBitcoin also, a pruned blockchain will be prudent?

2. i intend to use the Core as a wallet. what more can be done with a full node?

[OmegaStarScream]

If you're only looking to use Bitcoin Core as a wallet, you can still prune the blockchain. This would still benefit the network in general, just to a lesser extent.

I have 2 questions-
1. How to prune the blockchain? pruning happens after downloading the core or before. As suggested by ETFBitcoin also, a pruned blockchain will be prudent?

2. i intend to use the Core as a wallet. what more can be done with a full node?

1. After installing Bitcoin core, run it and go to Settings -> Options. Check the "Prune block storage" option. As for the second question, read this article[1].

2. You can read the link I gave you earlier[2], It explains what a full node is. If you're not interested in helping the network, I would suggest going with Electrum instead. It consumes much less resources.

[1] https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/questions/42287/what-do-pruning-nodes-contribute-to-the-network
[2] https://bitcoin.org/en/full-node

[HCP]

pruning happens after downloading the core or before.

You can turn on pruning whenever you want... but note that even if you enable pruning right at the beginning... you will still need to download the entire blockchain from the beginning... so you're still going to be downloading 250+gigs worth of block data.

It's just that it isn't stored permanently on the disk...

There are also some caveats to using a pruned node... like if you ever need to reindex (corrupted blocks) or rescan (in the event of importing a private key or "watch only" address)... you will need to redownload the entire blockchain again, so the wallet can scan all the blocks looking for transactions that involve those imported key(s) and/or address(es).