How to Run a Full Bitcoin Node on a VPS: Step-by-Step Guide

Running a full Bitcoin node supports the Bitcoin project and helps to verify and validate Bitcoin transactions. The good news is, you do not need to run a dedicated server for this, as you can run a full Bitcoin node on a virtual private server (VPS). Here, we explain the essential steps to getting your node up and running:

Step 1: Select the Right VPS Provider

First, you need to select a VPS provider that supports hosting Bitcoin nodes and offers the necessary features.

You are going to need around 700 GB of SSD storage space, but realistically, it is better to opt for a service offering at least 1 TB. This provides scope for future growth of the blockchain. It is also recommended to opt for a service offering at least 8 GB RAM, but 24 GB or 30 GB is preferable for optimal performance.

You should also check the average uptime and aim for a service offering 99.9% uptime or above. Finally, make sure your chosen provider supports Linux-based operating systems, like Ubuntu.

Step 2: Configure Your Chosen VPS

Once you have selected and signed up for your chosen VPS service, you need to configure it.

Some of the most crucial steps here include:

• Creating a non-root user for day-to-day management
• Setting up a firewall and installing antivirus software
• Enhancing security by using SSH keys instead of passwords

All of these tasks can be performed from your VPS control panel and you should have access to instructions or documentation from your provider, which you can use to guide you through this process.

You can also install a variety of dependencies by entering the following commands:

sudo apt install build-essential libtool autotools-dev automake pkg-config bsdmainutils python3 libevent-dev

sudo apt install libboost-system-dev libboost-filesystem-dev libboost-test-dev libboost-thread-dev libminiupnpc-dev libzmq3-dev libssl-dev libdb-dev libdb++-dev

Step 3: Download and Install Bitcoin Core

Next, you need to actually download and install Bitcoin Core.

It should be noted that some VPS providers, like Contabo, offer support for Cloud-Init scripts. In these cases, you can potentially simplify the entire installation process by enabling Cloud-Init in your VPS control panel and following the instructions the VPS provider offers for setting up a full Bitcoin node.

However, the standard way to do this is to visit Bitcoin.org’s download page and download the latest release.

Alternatively, enter the following Ubuntu command:

wget https://bitcoin.org/bin/bitcoin-core-28.1/bitcoin-28.1-x86_64-linux-gnu.tar.gz

Note: The command above includes the link to the latest file at the time of writing. You can find the most up-to-date version by visiting the Bitcoin download page and copying the link for the “Linux (tgz)” file.

Once it has downloaded, you need to extract the files, using the following Ubuntu command:

tar xzf bitcoin-28.1-x86_64-linux-gnu.tar.gz

Then install the node using this command:

cd bitcoin-core-28.1/bin && install -m 0755 -o root -g root -t /usr/local/bin *

Step 4: Run the Full Bitcoin Node

Since you are going to be running a full Bitcoin node, you do not need to create a special configuration file. Instead, you can run the Bitcoin node by typing the following Ubuntu command:

bitcoind -daemon

You can also check the current status at any time by entering:

bitcoin-cli getblockchaininfo

Over time, you will need to monitor your Bitcoin node and your VPS, ensuring you always have sufficient disk space. You should also make sure you run updates frequently and maintain the security of your VPS over time.

Final Thoughts

The easiest way to set up a full Bitcoin node is to use a service like Contabo, which supports Cloud-Init scripts that will simplify the installation process. Alternatively, you can use a Linux-based operating system like Ubuntu and follow the instructions provided to run a full Bitcoin node on a VPS and contribute to the network’s future.