Introduction

Running an Ethereum node on a Raspberry Pi is a cost-effective way to participate in blockchain networks without relying on expensive cloud services. The Raspberry Pi 4 Model B, with its low energy consumption and expandable storage via external drives, is ideal for hosting a lightweight Ethereum full node or Ethereum Classic node. This guide covers the setup process using Ubuntu LTS and Core-geth, optimized for efficiency.

What You’ll Learn

• Set up a Raspberry Pi 4 (4GB RAM) with Ubuntu LTS and Core-geth.

• Configure Core-geth to sync with ETC, ETH, or test networks.

• Optimize storage and memory usage for long-term node operation.

Step 1: Hardware and Software Requirements

Hardware:

• Raspberry Pi 4 Model B (4GB RAM) – Core-geth requires ≥4GB RAM.

• MicroSD card (≥16GB) – For the OS.

• External HDD/SSD (optional for mainnet) – Mainnet requires hundreds of GBs; testnets can use a large microSD.

• USB-C power supply (5.1V/3A) – Stable power is critical.

• Ethernet cable (recommended) – More reliable than Wi-Fi.

Software:

• Ubuntu LTS (22.04 or later).

• Core-geth (built from source).

👉 Explore Raspberry Pi 4 accessories

Step 2: Install Ubuntu on Raspberry Pi

1. Follow Ubuntu’s official tutorial:

   # Download and flash Ubuntu LTS to the microSD card.  
   

2. Find the Pi’s IP address using nmap if SSH fails:

   nmap -sn 192.168.1.0/24  
   

Step 3: Initial Server Setup

Update System Packages:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade -y  

Install Essential Tools:

sudo apt install unzip make htop build-essential  
sudo snap install go --classic  

Assign a Static IP:

Edit /etc/netplan/50-cloud-init.yaml:

network:  
  ethernets:  
    eth0:  
      addresses: [192.168.1.144/24]  
      gateway4: 192.168.1.1  
      nameservers:  
        addresses: [8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1]  

Apply changes:

sudo netplan apply && sudo reboot  

Step 4: Mount External Storage

1. Identify the disk (/dev/sda):

   sudo fdisk -l  
   

2. Format and mount:

   sudo mkfs.ext4 /dev/sda  
   sudo mkdir /mnt/ssd  
   sudo mount /dev/sda /mnt/ssd  
   

3. Auto-mount on boot via /etc/fstab:

   UUID=b2907e9d-1a37-4f26-8d43-b51ff3e1c66f /mnt/ssd ext4 defaults 0 0  
   

Step 5: Add Swap Space

Prevent out-of-memory errors with a 2GB swap file:

sudo fallocate -l 2G /swapfile  
sudo chmod 600 /swapfile  
sudo mkswap /swapfile  
sudo swapon /swapfile  

Permanently enable it in /etc/fstab:

/swapfile none swap sw 0 0  

Step 6: Install Core-geth

Build from Source:

git clone https://github.com/etclabscore/core-geth.git  
cd core-geth  
make geth  
sudo mv build/bin/geth /bin/  

Verify installation:

geth version  

Step 7: Run Core-geth

Sync Ethereum Classic:

geth --classic --syncmode fast --cache 256 --datadir /mnt/ssd/classic  

For background operation:

nohup geth --classic --syncmode fast --cache 256 --datadir /mnt/ssd/classic &  

Monitor Sync Status:

geth attach ipc:/mnt/ssd/classic/geth.ipc  
> eth.syncing  

👉 Troubleshoot common node issues

FAQs

1. Can I run an Ethereum archival node on Raspberry Pi?

• Not recommended due to storage constraints (archival nodes require ~4TB+).

2. How long does syncing take?

• Fast sync: 1–3 days for Ethereum Classic (varies by network load).

3. Why use an external SSD?

• MicroSD cards wear out faster under constant read/write cycles.

4. How to reduce RAM usage?

• Lower --cache (e.g., --cache 128) and ensure swap is active.

5. Can I switch networks later?

• Yes! Use separate --datadir paths (e.g., /mnt/ssd/eth vs. /mnt/ssd/etc).

Final Tips

• Use htop to monitor CPU/RAM usage.

• Regularly back up your datadir to avoid re-syncing.

• Join forums like Ethereum Stack Exchange for community support.

By following this guide, you’ve created a low-cost, energy-efficient Ethereum node—ideal for developers and enthusiasts alike!