Skip to content
Chad Feierstein

Linux - Cardano Node Installation

Complete guide for installing a Cardano Node on Debian 12 with the NIX package manager, including service configuration and monitoring.

Debian 12CardanoNIXBlockchainCryptocurrencyNode

Important Notes

Please note these important points before setup

Hardware Requirements

At least 8GB RAM and 100GB storage for optimal node performance

NIX Daemon Required

The NIX daemon must be correctly installed and started

Disk Space

At least 50GB free disk space required for blockchain data

Synchronization Time

Initial synchronization can take 24-48 hours depending on internet connection

Network Stability

Stable internet connection necessary for continuous synchronization

Setup Steps

Install system dependencies

sudo apt update && sudo apt install -y git tmux curl

Install NIX package manager

sh <(curl --proto '=https' --tlsv1.2 -L https://nixos.org/nix/install) --daemon

Restart system

reboot

A restart is required after NIX installation

Edit NIX configuration

nix.conf
1
2
3
build-users-group = nixbldexperimental-features = nix-command flakestrusted-users = root cardano

Restart NIX daemon

systemctl restart nix-daemon.service

Create Cardano user

sudo useradd -m -s /bin/bash cardano

Switch to Cardano user

sudo -i -u cardano

Clone Cardano Node repository

git clone https://github.com/IntersectMBO/cardano-node

Change to Cardano Node directory

cd cardano-node

Display available versions

git tag | sort -V

Checkout current stable version

git switch -d tags/10.4.1

Install Cardano Node and CLI in NIX profile

nix profile install .#cardano-node .#cardano-cli

This can take 30-60 minutes as all dependencies are compiled

Create symlink for Cardano Node

sudo ln -sf /home/cardano/.nix-profile/bin/cardano-node /usr/local/bin/cardano-node

Create symlink for Cardano CLI

sudo ln -sf /home/cardano/.nix-profile/bin/cardano-cli /usr/local/bin/cardano-cli

Adjust the path according to your NIX profile

Switch to Cardano user

sudo -i -u cardano

Create configuration directories

mkdir -p ~/cardano-config ~/cardano-db

Change to configuration directory

cd ~/cardano-config

Download official configuration files

curl -O -J "https://book.play.dev.cardano.org/environments/mainnet/{config,db-sync-config,submit-api-config,topology,byron-genesis,shelley-genesis,alonzo-genesis,conway-genesis,checkpoints}.json"

Create systemd service file

cardano-node.service
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
[Unit]Description=Cardano NodeAfter=network.target [Service]User=cardanoGroup=cardanoWorkingDirectory=/home/cardano/cardano-configExecStart=/usr/local/bin/cardano-node run \  --topology /home/cardano/cardano-config/topology.json \  --database-path /home/cardano/cardano-db \  --socket-path /home/cardano/cardano-db/node.socket \  --host-addr 0.0.0.0 \  --port 3001 \  --config /home/cardano/cardano-config/config.jsonRestart=on-failureRestartSec=10LimitNOFILE=32768 [Install]WantedBy=multi-user.target

Reload systemd manager

systemctl daemon-reload

Enable Cardano Node service

systemctl enable cardano-node

Start Cardano Node service

systemctl start cardano-node

Follow service logs

journalctl -u cardano-node -f

Check synchronization progress

cardano-cli query tip --socket-path /home/cardano/cardano-db/node.socket --mainnet

Initial blockchain synchronization can take 24-48 hours

Additional Tips

Useful commands and tips for better management

Additional Resources

Official documentation and helpful links

NIX Download

Official NIX package manager website with installation guides

Cardano Installation Guide

Official Cardano Node installation documentation

Running a Node

Official guide for operating a Cardano Node

Installation Complete!

Your Cardano Node is successfully installed and running as systemd service. Blockchain synchronization is running in the background and can take 24-48 hours.