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Part 2: Ergo Full Node Setup

Time Allotment:

  • 15min-2hr to execute (depending on skill level and snags)

Setup & Config​

The following steps are a combination of the two great following resources mixed in with notes

Update the Pi & Install Java​

Important: SKIP This Step UNLESS you boot from the SD Card: You'll want to start out in the /mnt/hd1 as your "home" directory, this is the external ssd hard drive, with the tons of memory for the ergo-node. It is not mentioned in the rest of the tutorial because it assumes directly mounting.

cd /mnt/hd1

The node is built with Scala but is run by Java, thus we'll need to install package dependencies Java Development Kit.

Preparation, update and upgrade the rpi. Check Java SDK.

sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y
sudo apt install default-jdk -y

Install the Java JDK

sudo apt install default-jdk

To check java installed properly check the version

java -version

Increase SWAP size​

The steps below optimizes your Pi's hardware and extends its operational capabilities for this specific purpose.

sudo dphys-swapfile swapoff
sudo nano /etc/dphys-swapfile

Edit the CONF_SWAPSIZE default value of 100 to 4096 mega bytes

CONF_SWAPSIZE=4096

Save file with "CTRL + X" then hit "Y" for Yes to save, and "ENTER" to confirm.

Turn swapfile on

sudo dphys-swapfile setup
sudo dphys-swapfile swapon

Reboot to start fresh

sudo reboot

Ergo Node Steps​

The following steps will setup the ergo node's configuration, download the node software ".jar" file, setup and run the node.

We will then check the node is syncing with the Ergo Node Explorer site in the browser.

First, ssh back into the pi

ssh pi@headless.local

Then once inside the rpi, change directory to the external hard drive location very important /mnt/hd1 and setup a new ergo folder.

mkdir ergo-node
cd ergo-node

From the Ergo Platform Github Release, check the latest release version.

Next, copy and paste the following line into a text file. Remove VERSION and insert the latest.

wget https://github.com/ergoplatform/ergo/releases/download/v<VERSION>/ergo-<VERSION>.jar

Note: Update the version in the above file. For copy and paste ease:

wget https://github.com/ergoplatform/ergo/releases/download/v5.0.14/ergo-5.0.14.jar

This will take a few minutes.

Note: GNU Wget is a free utility for non-interactive download of files from the Web. more

Next, setup the ergo node configuration file

sudo nano ergo.conf

Note: sudo is super user do (admin privileges). Nano is command line to touch and edit the ergo.conf file. You will now be inside the ergo.conf file. If the file didn't exist, it was just now created.

Copy and paste the contents of the Reference ergo.conf example file into a separate text file:

ergo {
    node {
        mining = false
        extraIndex = false
        
        utxo {
            # Download and apply UTxO set snapshot and full-blocks after that
            utxoBootstrap = false

            # How many utxo set snapshots to store, 0 means that they are not stored at all
            storingUtxoSnapshots = 2

            # How many utxo set snapshots for a height with the same id we need to find in p2p network
            # in order to start downloading it
            p2pUtxoSnapshots = 2
        }
        # Settings releated to headers-chain bootstrapping via NiPoPows
        nipopow {
            # Download PoPoW proof on node utxoBootstrap
            nipopowBootstrap = false

            #how many different proofs we are downloading from other peers
            # and compare with each other, before choosing the best one
            p2pNipopows = 2
        }
    }
}
scorex {
    restApi {
        # node which exposes restApi in firewall should define publicly accessible URL of it
        # you will need to enable port forwarding from logging into your router for 9053
        # publicUrl = "http://xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:9053"
        # apiKeyHash = "CHANGE_ME_HASH"
    }
    network {
        # For below declared address do not include "http://"!
        # you will need to enable port forwarding from logging into your router for 9030
        # declaredAddress = "xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx:9030"
        # nodeName = "my-ergo-node"
    }
}

You'll need to make the following updates:

  • extraIndex ?: If true, will basically store extra blockchain data
  • Under scorex
    • publicUrl - update
    • apiKeyHash - update
    • declared address - update
    • nodeName - update

For light weight full node using bootstrapping and NiPoPow, see example_ergo_config_file_light

Give it a go and run it! Ctrl+X to overwrite and Yes enter to save.

java -jar -Xmx2g ergo-<NODE>.jar --mainnet -c ergo.conf

Note: Update the version in the command above. e.g 

java -jar -Xmx2g ergo-5.0.14.jar --mainnet -c ergo.conf

API Key​

http://headless.local:9053/panel

Update hello in the command below with a custom API password. Where instead of hello insert custom password!

curl -X POST "http://213.239.193.208:9053/utils/hash/blake2b" \
-H "accept: application/json" \
-H "Content-Type: application/json" \
-d "\"hello\""

Type in the password in the browser node panel under "API Key". It should work.

Congrats!! You should see the node syncing now on the Ergo Node Explorer panel.

ergo-node-start-sync