Guide to Setting Up an ETH Synchronized Node (Geth v1.13.14)

Server Configuration Requirements

• Operating System: CentOS 7.6 (64-bit)
• CPU: 16 cores
• RAM: 32GB
• System Disk: 40GB
• Data Disk: 3TB
• Geth Path: /data/eth/bin/geth
• Data Path: /data/eth/chaindata
• Consensus Client: Prysm

Step 1: Download and Install Geth

1. Download Geth Package
   Official downloads available at:
   👉 Geth Ethereum Downloads

2. Extract and Install

   cd /data/eth
   wget https://gethstore.blob.core.windows.net/builds/geth-linux-amd64-1.13.14-2bd6bd01.tar.gz
   tar -xf geth-linux-amd64-1.13.14-2bd6bd01.tar.gz
   mv geth-linux-amd64-1.13.14-2bd6bd01 bin
   mkdir chaindata

Step 2: Set Up Prysm Beacon Node

Prerequisites

• Install screen for session management:

  yum update && yum upgrade
  yum -y install screen

Install Prysm

1. Create Directories and Download Prysm

   mkdir -p /data/consensus/prysm
   cd /data/consensus/prysm
   curl https://raw.githubusercontent.com/prysmaticlabs/prysm/master/prysm.sh --output prysm.sh
   chmod +x prysm.sh

2. Generate JWT Secret

   ./prysm.sh beacon-chain generate-auth-secret

   Outputs JWT key at /data/consensus/prysm/jwt.hex.

3. Start Prysm

   screen -S prysm
   ./prysm.sh beacon-chain --accept-terms-of-use --execution-endpoint=http://localhost:8551 \
   --jwt-secret=/data/consensus/prysm/jwt.hex --checkpoint-sync-url=https://beaconstate.info \
   --genesis-beacon-api-url=https://beaconstate.info --datadir /data/execution

   Press Ctrl+A D to detach the session.

Step 3: Deploy Geth Execution Client

1. Start Geth

   screen -S geth
   ./geth --cache 10240 --http --http.api web3,eth,net,personal,txpool,engine,admin \
   --http.addr 0.0.0.0 --http.port 3545 --datadir /data/eth/chaindata \
   --allow-insecure-unlock --rpc.allow-unprotected-txs --authrpc.addr 0.0.0.0 \
   --authrpc.port 8551 --authrpc.vhosts localhost --maxpeers=300 \
   --authrpc.jwtsecret /data/consensus/prysm/jwt.hex

   Press Ctrl+A D to detach.

Step 4: Verify Synchronization

1. Attach Geth Console

   geth attach /data/eth/chaindata/geth.ipc

2. Check Sync Status

   eth.blockNumber  // Returns latest block
   eth.syncing      // Returns 'false' if synced

3. RPC Check

   curl -X POST -H "Content-Type: application/json" -d '{"jsonrpc":"2.0","method":"eth_blockNumber","params":[],"id":1}' http://localhost:3545

   Convert hexadecimal result (e.g., 0x126f9ca) to decimal using a hex converter.

Optional: Configure as a Service

1. Create Service File

   vim /usr/lib/systemd/system/geth.service

   Paste:

   [Unit]
   Description=Go Ethereum Client - Geth
   After=network.target
   
   [Service]
   User=root
   ExecStart=/data/eth/bin/geth --snapshot=true --http --http.addr 0.0.0.0 --http.port 9545 \
   --datadir /data/eth/chaindata --http.api "personal,eth,net,web3,txpool,debug" \
   --authrpc.jwtsecret /data/consensus/prysm/jwt.hex
   Restart=always
   
   [Install]
   WantedBy=multi-user.target

2. Enable and Start

   systemctl enable geth
   systemctl start geth

FAQ

Q: How long does initial sync take?
A: Depending on hardware, expect 24-48 hours for a full sync.

Q: Why use Prysm with Geth?
A: Prysm handles consensus (PoS), while Geth manages execution (smart contracts).

Q: How to monitor node health?
A: Use geth attach or check logs via journalctl -u geth.

👉 Explore Ethereum Node Tools for advanced configurations.