Building an Ethereum Light Node: A Step-by-Step Guide

Introduction

Ethereum light nodes provide a resource-efficient way to interact with the blockchain without syncing the entire network. This guide walks you through the setup process, from installing dependencies to launching your node.

1. Installing Go Language

Purpose: Compile go-ethereum source code.

yum install golang

Verify installation:

go version  
# Expected output: go1.15.2 linux/amd64

2. Installing Git

Purpose: Clone the go-ethereum repository.

yum install git

Check Git version:

git version  
# Example: git version 2.16.4

3. Fetching go-ethereum Source Code

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/ethereum/go-ethereum.git

Move and navigate:

mv go-ethereum /usr/local  
cd /usr/local/go-ethereum/

4. Compiling the Source Code

Run:

make geth

Output: Binary files (including geth) in /usr/local/go-ethereum/build/bin.

5. Adding `geth` to System Path

Append to ~/.bash_profile:

echo "export PATH=$PATH:/usr/local/go-ethereum/build/bin" >> ~/.bash_profile  
source ~/.bash_profile

Verify:

geth version

6. Launching an Ethereum Mainnet Light Node

Run this command to start a light node:

nohup geth --datadir chain --syncmode=light --cache=1024 --rpc --rpcaddr 0.0.0.0 --rpcport 50002 --rpcapi 'web3,eth,net,personal,admin,txpool' --rpccorsdomain '*' & tail -f nohup.out

Key Flags:

--syncmode=light: Enables light client mode.
--rpc: Enables remote procedure calls.

7. Setting Up a Private Chain (Optional)

Create accounts:

geth --datadir chain account new

FAQs

Q1: What’s the difference between a light node and a full node?

A: Light nodes download only block headers, making them faster and less resource-intensive than full nodes, which store the entire blockchain.

Q2: Can I use a light node for mining?

A: No. Light nodes don’t support mining. Use a full node for mining activities.

Q3: How do I troubleshoot syncing issues?

A: Ensure your firewall allows RPC traffic (port 50002). Check logs in nohup.out for errors.

Conclusion

👉 Explore more blockchain tools to enhance your Ethereum experience. By following these steps, you’ve set up a lightweight gateway to the Ethereum network—ideal for developers and users prioritizing efficiency.

Keywords: Ethereum light node, go-ethereum, geth setup, blockchain sync, RPC configuration.


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