How to Set Up a Bitcoin Node with Raspberry Pi and Alternatives

Introduction

As a fervent Bitcoin maximalist and a computer science enthusiast, I am thrilled to share my comprehensive guide on setting up a Bitcoin node using Raspberry Pi and its various alternatives. This article is specifically tailored for individuals who are keen on contributing to the Bitcoin network while acquiring in-depth knowledge about blockchain technology. From DIY steps to cost analysis, hardware comparisons to syncing time, I have left no stone unturned in my quest to enlighten the crypto community about the exciting endeavor of running a Bitcoin node.

Part I: The Raspberry Pi Bitcoin Node: An Overview

The Raspberry Pi, a small and affordable computer, has grown in popularity among Bitcoin enthusiasts. The Raspberry Pi’s affordability, coupled with its capacity to run a Bitcoin node, makes it a fantastic option for those who want to participate in maintaining the Bitcoin network’s decentralization.

To run a Bitcoin node on a Raspberry Pi, you’ll need at least a Raspberry Pi 4 with 4GB of RAM, although I recommend 8GB for a smoother experience. For storage, a minimum of 1TB SSD is required, but 2TB would provide more longevity. An NVMe SSD would provide the best performance, offering high-speed data transfer which significantly reduces the time required for blockchain synchronization.

Part II: How to Run a Bitcoin Node on a Raspberry Pi (with MicroSD card – Not recommended!)

Here are the usual key steps to follow:

1. Acquire the necessary hardware: This includes a Raspberry Pi 4, a charger, a 1TB or 2TB solid-state drive (SSD), a 16MB SD card, a heatsink case for cooling, and an ethernet cable to connect the Raspberry Pi to your internet router. You may also need an SD card reader if you don’t have one.
2. Assemble the Raspberry Pi: Insert the Raspberry Pi into its case and secure it. Connect the SSD to the Raspberry Pi via the USB port. Plug in the power charger into the USB C port. Connect the Raspberry Pi to your internet router using the ethernet cable.
3. Download and install the necessary software: Download the Umbrel OS onto your computer, which should take about 10 minutes. You also need to download the balenaEtcher software.Step-by-Step
   Go to: https://umbrel.com/, click Umbrel OS Download:
   https://download.umbrel.com/umbrel-os.zipFlash umbrel-os-v0.x.x.img into your SSD or NVMe (or MicroSD, not recommended)
   using software balenaEtcher, downloadable from: https://etcher.balena.io/
4. Install the Umbrel OS onto the SD card: Use the balenaEtcher software to flash the Umbrel OS image file onto the SD card. This process is relatively straightforward and should take about three minutes.
5. Insert the SD card into the Raspberry Pi: The SD card slot is located at the end of the Raspberry Pi opposite the ethernet cable.
6. Set up your Bitcoin node: Start the Umbrel software and follow the prompts to set up your Bitcoin node. This includes choosing a name for your device, creating a password (at least 11 characters long), and writing down your mnemonic code if you run also Bitcoin Lightning Network Node, which is a series of 24 words that allow you to access your Bitcoin wallet.

Remember to keep your mnemonic code safe as it is your only means of recovering your wallet should you forget your password or lose access to your device.

Part II: How to Run a Bitcoin Node on a Raspberry Pi (without MicroSD card – recommended!)

These steps for setting up a Bitcoin node on a Raspberry Pi using an external SSD or NVME drive in an enclosure instead of an SD card. Consider flashing Ubuntu Server or Ubuntu Mate as alternative options & then install Umbrel OS with a simple command in terminal to your devise.

Here are the steps & the benefits of using an SSD or NVME drive over an SD card:

1. Acquire the necessary hardware: This includes a Raspberry Pi 4, a charger, a 1TB or 2TB solid-state drive (SSD) or NVME drive, a heatsink case for cooling, an ethernet cable to connect the Raspberry Pi to your internet router, and an external enclosure for your SSD or NVME drive with a USB 3.0 connector.
2. Assemble the Raspberry Pi: Insert the Raspberry Pi into its case and secure it. Connect the SSD or NVME drive to the Raspberry Pi via the USB port on the external enclosure. Plug in the power charger into the USB C port. Connect the Raspberry Pi to your internet router using the ethernet cable.
3. Download and install the necessary software: Download the Umbrel OS or Ubuntu Server/Ubuntu Mate onto your computer. The download process should take about 10 minutes. You also need to download the balenaEtcher software.
4. Install the Umbrel OS or Ubuntu Server/Ubuntu Mate onto the SSD or NVME drive: Use the balenaEtcher software to flash the Umbrel OS or Ubuntu Server/Ubuntu Mate image file onto the SSD or NVME drive. This process is relatively straightforward and should take about three minutes.
5. Set up your Bitcoin node: If you flashed the Umbrel OS, start the Umbrel software and follow the prompts to set up your Bitcoin node. This includes choosing a name for your device, creating a password (at least 11 characters long), and writing down your mnemonic code, which is a series of 24 words that allow you to access your Bitcoin wallet. If you flashed Ubuntu Server or Ubuntu Mate, follow the respective setup instructions provided by Ubuntu.

Remember to keep your mnemonic code safe as it is your only means of recovering your wallet should you forget your password or lose access to your device.

The reason to opt for an external SSD or NVME drive over an SD card is that these drives tend to be more reliable and have a longer lifespan. SD cards can degrade over time, especially when subjected to frequent read and write operations, which are common when running a Bitcoin node. On the other hand, SSDs and NVME drives are designed to handle these operations more efficiently and are less likely to fail over the long run.

Running the operating system directly from the SSD or NVME drive also improves performance because these drives generally have faster read and write speeds compared to SD cards. This can make your Bitcoin node run more smoothly and efficiently.

Part III: Cost Analysis

The cost of setting up a Bitcoin node on a Raspberry Pi varies based on the components you choose. A Raspberry Pi 4 with 8GB RAM costs around $75, a 2TB SSD could set you back $200-$300, and other peripherals (power supply, Ethernet cable, microSD card) will add about $50 to your total.

So, your total outlay could be in the vicinity of $325-$425. However, consider this a long-term investment towards fostering the resilience and independence of the Bitcoin network.

Part IV: Raspberry Pi Alternatives for Bitcoin Node

The Raspberry Pi’s popularity shouldn’t obscure the fact that there are other excellent single-board computers (SBCs) that can run a Bitcoin node. Let’s take a closer look at some alternatives:

Using a single board computer like the ODROID-M1, ODROID-H3, or ODROID-H3+, it can be even more beneficial to connect the hard drive directly to the board. This can further improve the performance of your Bitcoin node and reduce the chance of data corruption or loss. These boards also tend to have more powerful processors and more RAM, which can also contribute to a more efficient and reliable Bitcoin node.

The ODROID-M1 8GB, for instance, is a single-board computer with a wide range of peripherals. It’s an ideal choice for a variety of embedded system applications like running a full Bitcoin Node & Lightning Network node and costs approximately $90​​ + toll.

I personally bought Odroid M1 8GB plus PSU and case from Odroid.nl with delivery and toll fees with 162 euros, adding needs 65 or 105 euro cost for 1TB or 2TB Samsung 970 Eco Plus NVMe you can have a very functional and long lasting node and why not media centre & home server for less than 250 euros / less than 300 euros, respectively.
Added in the cost good quality lan cable and Be quiete! MC1 Pro NVMe heat sink (really recommended) for another around 20 euros.

Join the Crypto Movement: How to Set Up a Bitcoin Node with Raspberry Pi and Alternatives

On the higher end, the ODROID-H3 and H3+ mini PCs, which cost $129 and $165 respectively, come with Intel Celeron N5105 and Pentium N6005 processors​​. These devices offer greater performance, which might be essential depending on your specific requirements. I will test this setup soon!

Currently the Raspberry Pi 8GB boards (if available run with the cost of 120-200 euros and in theory, Odoird M1 board is already 4-6x faster what in reality means its maybe 2X faster and Odroid H3 probably double that.

For my personal experience, Odroid M1 8GB RAM took about 6 days to download & sync to the Bitcoin blockchain that at the moment of this writing in June 2023 is about 560GB of size.

Summary

Looking to contribute to the Bitcoin network while deepening your understanding of blockchain technology? This guide offers detailed steps to set up a Bitcoin node using a Raspberry Pi or its alternatives. We’ll cover cost analysis, hardware comparisons, syncing times, and more, ensuring you’re well-equipped for this exciting crypto journey. From acquiring the necessary hardware to installing the right software, we’ll guide you through the process. We also discuss alternatives to Raspberry Pi, like the ODROID series, and analyze their advantages in terms of speed and efficiency.

Conclusion

Setting up a Bitcoin node using a Raspberry Pi or its alternatives is an educational and empowering journey into the world of blockchain technology. Although the Raspberry Pi is a cost-effective and popular choice, other single-board computers like the ODROID series offer higher performance and may prove to be a better investment. Remember that running a Bitcoin node is about more than just hardware and software; it’s about contributing to a global decentralized network, fostering the resilience and independence of the Bitcoin network. So, get started on your Bitcoin node today, and join us in the exciting world of cryptocurrency.

Fun fact! You can Install on anything that runs Linux

Run umbrel OS on Ubuntu or Debian on any hardware (or a VM on Mac or Windows & NUC) by running:
“curl -L https://umbrel.sh | bash”

Troubleshooting

If curl command not found, try commands:
$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install curl and/or follow the instructions of:
https://linuxconfig.org/curl-command-not-found